Newsletter Newsletters Events Events Podcasts Videos Africanews
Loader
Advertisement

China slams UK for delaying decision again on massive new London mega embassy

Flags of China and the Union Jack stand during the China-UK Energy Dialogue in Beijing, 17 March, 2025
Flags of China and the Union Jack stand during the China-UK Energy Dialogue in Beijing, 17 March, 2025 Copyright  AP Photo
Copyright AP Photo
By Gavin Blackburn
Published on
Share Comments
Share Close Button

The proposed structure at Royal Mint Court, near the Tower of London, would be the largest embassy in Europe, covering 20,000 square metres.

China blasted the UK government on Wednesday for its latest delay in deciding whether to approve the construction of a huge new embassy in London.

British authorities said on Tuesday that a planned decision by 10 December would be pushed back to 20 January following mounting security concerns.

"The UK's repeated delay in granting approval is completely unjustified and the reasons they cited are untenable," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said.

The government is "strongly dissatisfied," he added.

The plans for the embassy close to London's financial district and sensitive data cables have been stalled for years.

The proposed structure at Royal Mint Court, near the Tower of London, would be the largest embassy in Europe, covering 20,000 square metres.

Protesters demonstrate against the proposed building of a new Chinese embassy in London, 28 September, 2025
Protesters demonstrate against the proposed building of a new Chinese embassy in London, 28 September, 2025 AP Photo

Critics have raised concerns that the building would be used as a base for espionage and lawmakers from across the political spectrum have urged the government to reject the proposal.

The UK government's planning agency said the decision had been postponed to allow more time to consider it.

"The Home Office and Foreign Office have provided views on particular security implications, and have been clear throughout that a decision shouldn’t be taken until we affirm that those considerations have been completed or resolved," Tom Wells, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, said on Tuesday.

Critics have suggested the decision was delayed amid preparations for Starmer's expected visit to Beijing early next year.

Additional sources • AP

Go to accessibility shortcuts
Share Comments

Read more

China to tax condoms for first time in 30 years as demographic crisis deepens

Trade, tech, Ukraine: What to know about Macron's trip to China

Fact check: Is China using TikTok to 'dumb down' European children?