Plans for a large new Chinese embassy near London’s financial district have sparked serious security concerns, prompting calls from senior Conservative figures to halt the development. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp described the proposed complex at the former Royal Mint site as a potential threat, citing fears it could become a hub for espionage close to critical infrastructure. The planning application for the site, which sits near key financial and communications hubs, has faced years of opposition and is now under official review.
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Reports suggest the United States has urged the UK to reject the project, citing the location’s proximity to sensitive data networks and financial centres. A senior US official warned the site could provide China with access to highly confidential communications. British cyber security experts had previously raised similar alarms in private correspondence with government departments, highlighting risks associated with underground data cables running close to or beneath the site.
Speaking on Sky News, Mr Philp echoed US concerns, arguing that the embassy could serve as a pan-European base for Chinese intelligence operations. He referenced China’s past actions in the UK, such as operating undeclared police stations and pursuing dissidents, as further justification to deny planning approval. Philp stated that under a Conservative government, permission would not be granted for such a project, due to the threat it poses to national security.
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The controversy also places political pressure on Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who has sought a balanced approach to China while preserving strong ties with the US. In response to the security concerns, Science Secretary Peter Kyle assured the public that the matter would be handled thoroughly during the planning process. While the Chinese embassy has dismissed allegations of espionage, UK and US officials remain cautious, with the issue now firmly in the spotlight of diplomatic and security discourse.
