China's proposed 'mega-embassy' in London evokes 'important security problems', have warned American politicians.
Beijing is a controversial plan to build a large new embassy on the 600,000 m² of the former Royal Mint, opposite the Tower of London.
But ministers came under the growing pressure last night to prevent the recovery of the project, which was initially rejected in 2022, on safety and spy problems.
The US Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party is considered the first time that Labor is publicly urged by foreign politicians to destroy Beijing's proposals.
In a statement, the Congress Committee, chaired by Republican John Moolenaar, said: 'The Mega-Embassy of the PRC in the UK evokes significant safety problems: of interference and supervision of risks for sensitive infrastructure such as London's financial services.
“We have to work to tackle this problem urgently and to collaborate with our allies to protect national security.”
China plans to change the site into its largest diplomatic mission in Europe with offices, 225 houses and a cultural exchange building. Six years ago it bought the country for £ 255 million, but saw proposals for the Mega-Embassy rejected in 2022 in the midst of local worries.
However, only a few weeks after the general elections last July, officials have re -submitted identical plans and raised questions about whether they can try their luck with the New Labor government.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy (photo) has indicated his support for the new Chinese embassy
Protesters gather at the site of the former Royal Mint in London on February 8, 2025, to demonstrate against a proposal to move the Chinese embassy to this site
Royal Mint Court, the site of the proposed new Chinese embassy in London, Great -Britain, 11 February 2025
Both foreign secretary David Lammy and Minister of the Interior Yvette Cooper have indicated the support for the project, while the with Police has withdrawn their objections after he initially protested.
Last night, former conservative party leader Sir Iin Duncan Smith said: 'The reality with which we are confronted here is a terrible KowTow project in a very historic building with 200 British citizens on the spot opposite the Tower of London. It is the worst place where you can have an embassy. It is shocking – this is a scammer of the Labor government that wants to prefer the Chinese. This government is now gerrymeering of the planning process.
'Everyone knows that this is wrong – the intelligence and security services, the police, members of parliament, local people – but this government is determined to continue. Imagine handing over a historic building – why do we have to wait for the Americans to tell us that this is complete nonsense? '
Luke de Pulford of the Interparliamentary Alliance in China said: 'We can now alienate our most powerful ally from the long list of problems related to this disastrous ideas for embassy.
'It is very unusual for foreign legislators to intervene in something like this. The fact that the congress is willing to announce its opinion shows how serious a mistake this would be for the government. '
Beijing lobbys with the new government about the construction of the embassy. It was raised last year in conversations between President Xi and Sir Keir Starmer, and then again between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Mr. Lammy in London last week.
Labor has promised to perform a 'full audit' of the British relationships while they want to reset the relationship between the two nations.
Protesters from different groups attend a demonstration against the proposed site of the new Chinese embassy, outside of Royal Mint Court, in London, Great -Britain, 8 February 2025
A demonstrator is held by the police during a demonstration against the proposed site of the new Chinese embassy, outside of Royal Mint Court, in London, Great -Britain, 8 February 2025
But MPs and campaigners have warned Sir Keir against the softening of his position on Beijing because of economic growth. They say that the fate of the Mega -Embassy – which will eventually be signed by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner – will be an indication of which direction the government will take.
Spokesperson Calum Miller of the Liberal -Democrat Foreign Affairs said Calum Miller: 'The plans for the Chinese embassy should cause serious alarm bells for the safety of the UK.
“Beijing has made repeated efforts to steal our information and to interfere with Great Britain -to deepen our concerns about the cosying -up of the government to China.”
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “National security is the first obligation to government. It was our core priority during this process.
“A definitive decision about this case will be made in due course by ministers in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.”
