The UK government is expected to approve China’s plans for a new mega-embassy in central London, sparking renewed debate about national security and diplomatic priorities. The China mega-embassy, set to be the largest of its kind in Europe, would occupy 20,000 square metres near the City of London, close to fibre optic cables carrying sensitive data. Critics argue this could pose a significant espionage risk.
A final decision has not yet been formally taken. Advice from intelligence agencies is understood to clear the way for ministers to give the controversial project the go ahead. The expected green light, first reported by the Times newspaper, will add another chapter to ongoing discussions about the UK’s relationship with Beijing.
The approval or rejection of the planning application rests with Housing Secretary Steve Reed, a quasi-judicial decision that has involved consultation with multiple government bodies including MI5 and MI6. The decision has been repeatedly delayed, with the government last month pushing back the ruling deadline to 10 December.
Supporters of the China mega-embassy argue that a single, consolidated site may be easier to manage than multiple locations across London. They also warn that rejecting China’s long-standing request for a new embassy could hinder diplomatic relations. The Chinese Embassy in the UK has stated that the new complex would enhance “mutually beneficial cooperation” between China and Britain, insisting that objections to the site are unfounded.
Yet concerns remain significant. Conservative shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel warned that approving the embassy would put Britain at risk, accusing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of being “desperate and unprincipled”. Critics say the government is not sufficiently hard-headed about the perceived threat from Beijing and call for a more cautious approach to UK-China relations.
The issue is intertwined with wider diplomatic efforts. Since winning last year’s general election, Labour has sought to strengthen ties with China. Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Business Secretary Peter Kyle, and Sir Olly Robbins, the senior civil servant at the Foreign Office, have all visited China. The Prime Minister is expected to make his own visit possibly as early as next year. He told reporters en route to the G20 Summit in Johannesburg that no visit had been confirmed and reiterated that the government’s approach “is the same approach as we’ve always taken, which is cooperate where we can and challenge where we must, particularly on national security”.
Security concerns have been heightened by recent incidents. A case involving two men accused of spying for China collapsed amid difficulties in accessing government evidence. MI5 has issued alerts warning MPs and peers about potential Chinese espionage, including individuals posing as headhunters on LinkedIn targeting political insiders. China has rejected these allegations, calling them “pure fabrication”.
The China mega-embassy remains at the centre of a delicate balancing act: the UK must weigh the potential benefits of cooperation against the risks to national security, while managing the optics of its relationship with one of the world’s most powerful states.
