Ministers are under fire for proposing a significant Chinese embassy with over 200 underground rooms located near critical cables. Bipartisan Members of Parliament are urging the Government to block the construction near the Tower of London. Concerns were raised after leaked plans revealed the presence of 208 basement rooms, raising espionage fears amid escalating tensions.
Labour’s Sarah Champion, head of the International Development Agency, expressed strong opposition, labeling China as a hostile state to the UK. She emphasized the need to halt the development of the mega embassy, citing security risks and the need to stand up against aggressive behavior.
Nine Labour MPs have written to Communities Secretary Steve Reed, cautioning that the embassy could be utilized for increasing intimidation against dissidents. A decision on its approval is anticipated by January 20, with reports hinting that Keir Starmer may announce its green light.
The Conservative Party voiced concerns that the embassy could serve as a platform for economic warfare. Shadow Home Office minister Alicia Kearns highlighted the potential risks posed by the embassy’s proximity to crucial cables essential for the UK economy.
Government officials assured that security concerns have been addressed, emphasizing a balanced approach towards China as both a significant economic partner and a national security concern.
Reports suggest that the embassy approval announcement may precede an anticipated trip by the Prime Minister to China, the first such visit since 2018. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper have indicated that their reservations about the project have been resolved, with China agreeing to consolidate its diplomats onto the new embassy site.
No10 previously stated that the embassy’s approval would bring security benefits to the UK.