Opponents of a proposed new Chinese diplomatic complex in London have launched a crowdfunding campaign to finance a legal battle aimed at stopping the project, which they claim poses a significant threat to national security.
Security Concerns Spark Legal Fight
Plans for the expansive embassy site, located by the Tower of London on the grounds of the old Royal Mint, were previously blocked by the last Conservative government on security grounds. However, the new Labour administration, which is seeking closer ties with Beijing, appears set to allow the development to proceed.
This potential reversal has prompted more than 100 local families to take action. They are now soliciting donations to fund a judicial review of the decision. The campaign had already raised £29,000 as of last night.
The Scale of the Proposed Development
The development, planned for the site of a former Barclays trading floor, is designed to be a major diplomatic hub. It would provide accommodation for more than 200 diplomats and intelligence officers, which would make it the largest Chinese embassy in Europe.
Campaign organiser Mark Nygate stated, ‘Every donation brings us closer to stopping this.’ The government has admitted it has not yet seen the full plans for the site.
Financial and Infrastructure Risks Highlighted
Experts and institutions have raised specific alarms about the location. A key concern is a nearby tunnel that has carried fibre optic cables under the River Thames since 1985. Furthermore, the Bank of England has explicitly warned about the risks of constructing such an embassy in close proximity to sensitive financial centres in the City of London.
Luke de Pulford of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China criticised the situation, remarking, ‘The job of defending UK interests has been left to a group of residents.’
The campaign underscores the ongoing tension between diplomatic engagement and national security, placing a group of London residents at the forefront of a major international policy dispute.
