The UK government has postponed its decision on whether to approve China’s proposed super-embassy in London until 20 January, aligning with Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s planned visit to Beijing.
Ministers are widely expected to greenlight the controversial plans after the Home Office and Foreign Office raised no objections on security grounds. A government spokesperson noted that consolidating China’s seven existing diplomatic sites into one would bring “security advantages.” The Chinese government has agreed to combine all its London premises into the Royal Mint Court site near Tower Bridge, spanning 20,000 square metres.
The final decision has been delayed for the third time, now set for around the time Starmer is expected to travel to China for bilateral talks — the first prime ministerial visit since Theresa May in 2018. In a recent speech, Starmer described China as “a defining force in technology, trade and global governance” and called for a balanced approach, rejecting a binary choice between a “golden age” and an “ice age.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper wrote to concerned parties stating that their departments had “carefully considered the breadth of considerations” and worked with police to address national security issues. They recognised the importance of diplomatic premises while upholding national security.
The plans have faced fierce opposition from local residents and campaigners concerned about China’s human rights record in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. The Chinese embassy expressed strong displeasure at the repeated postponement, urging the UK to approve the application quickly to avoid undermining mutual trust.
China purchased the Royal Mint Court site for £255m in 2018, but plans stalled after Tower Hamlets council refused planning permission in 2022. The previous Conservative government declined to intervene, but Labour called in the decision after taking power last summer.
