The British government has extended the deadline to October 21 to decide on whether to approve China’s plans to build the largest embassy in Europe in London.
The proposed embassy, situated near the Tower of London, has sparked intense debate due to concerns over potential security risks and spying activities.
Beijing’s refusal to provide detailed internal layout plans for the embassy has further complicated the matter.
DP9, the planning consultancy working for the Chinese government, maintains that the level of detail provided in the unredacted plans is sufficient to identify the main uses of the embassy.
“The Applicant considers the level of detail shown on the unredacted plans is sufficient to identify the main uses,” DP9 said in a letter to the government. “In these circumstances, we consider it is neither necessary nor appropriate to provide additional more detailed internal layout plans or details.”
Pro-democracy campaigners from Hong Kong fear that Beijing could use the embassy to harass political opponents and even detain them.
Nearby residents are concerned about potential security risks and large protests that may arise from having the embassy in the area.
Politicians in Britain and the United States have also warned against allowing China to build the embassy on the site, citing concerns that it could be used as a base for spying.
Luke de Pulford, executive director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, criticized the Chinese government’s stance, saying, “these explanations are far from satisfactory.” De Pulford further emphasized that the assurances provided by the Chinese government amount to “trust me bro.”
The Chinese embassy in London expressed “serious concern” over the government’s response, stating that host countries have an international obligation to support the construction of diplomatic buildings.
“The Chinese side urges the UK side to fulfil its obligation and approve the planning application without delay,” the embassy said in a statement.
The Chinese government purchased Royal Mint Court in 2018, but its requests for planning permission to build the new embassy were rejected by the local council in 2022 over safety and security concerns.
Chinese President Xi Jinping asked Prime Minister Keir Starmer to intervene, and Starmer’s central government took control of the planning decision last year.
The proposed complex would include offices, a large basement area, housing for 200 staff, and a new tunnel to connect the Embassy House to a separate building on the embassy grounds.
If approved, the embassy would significantly expand China’s diplomatic presence in London, potentially impacting UK-China relations and security dynamics in the region.
The British government’s department of housing will now consider the responses before making a decision on whether the project can proceed.