China Warns UK of “Consequences” Over Delays to London Mega-Embassy Approval
LONDON — Tensions between the United Kingdom and China have intensified after Beijing warned of “consequences” over the UK’s decision to further delay approval for the construction of a massive new Chinese embassy in London.
The British government confirmed this week that it had postponed its decision for a second time, pushing the deadline to 10 December. The proposed embassy, which would occupy the historic Royal Mint Court site near the Tower of London, has faced strong opposition since it was first submitted.
In response, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the UK of acting in bad faith, saying the delay “goes entirely against the UK’s commitments and previous remarks about improving China-UK relations.”
Foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian criticised Britain for “constantly complicating and politicising” the process, adding that the UK had “linked the project with other issues” and “repeatedly put off approval under various excuses.”
“We once again call on the UK to fulfil its obligation and honour its commitments at once,” Lin said. “Otherwise, the consequences arising therefrom shall be borne by the UK side.”
Downing Street swiftly rejected the accusation, saying it “did not recognise any claims of commitments or assurances” and reaffirmed that national security remained the government’s top priority.
“Protecting the UK's national security is our first duty,” a spokesperson for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said. “The planning process is independent from the rest of government, and it would not be appropriate to comment further while that process continues.”
A Contentious Project with National Security Concerns
Diplomatic Pressure Mounts
China purchased the Royal Mint Court site in 2018 for £255 million, with plans to construct a 20,000-square-metre complex that would become Europe’s largest Chinese embassy.
However, the project has faced repeated roadblocks. Tower Hamlets Council originally rejected the proposal in 2022, citing public safety and security risks. The application was later “called in” by the UK’s housing department in 2023 after Labour took power and China resubmitted its plans.
Opponents — including security experts and local residents — have warned that the new site’s proximity to the City of London’s financial district could pose risks. Some fear that the location could potentially allow surveillance or data interception via nearby fibre optic cables. Others worry that the embassy would become a focal point for protests and unrest, given China’s record on human rights.
The proposed complex includes office buildings, residential quarters for 200 staff, a large basement, and an underground tunnel linking separate structures within the grounds.
The issue has also become a political flashpoint. Both the Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrats have urged the government to reject the embassy proposal outright, arguing that the project undermines UK sovereignty and security.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has acknowledged that Chinese President Xi Jinping personally raised the embassy issue during their first phone conversation last August.
“You raised the Chinese embassy building when we spoke on the telephone, and we have since taken action by calling in that application,” Starmer told Xi in November. “Now we have to follow the legal process and timeline.”
As London weighs its final decision, the dispute underscores a growing diplomatic rift between the UK and China — one that pits economic pragmatism against national security concerns in an increasingly tense global climate.