Plans for a new Chinese embassy in London have been accepted, following a decision by the government.
The government announced this morning it has approved plans for a new Chinese embassy in London after concluding that security and public safety risks could be managed.
The plans were rejected by Tower Hamlets Council in 2022 over safety concerns, but when Chinese officials resubmitted their application in 2024, the government took over the decision.
Demonstrators protested outside the site on Sunday in a last-ditch attempt, calling for the plan’s rejection. Lucy North/PA
A 240-page document containing the decision says concerns around protests, policing, and the site’s location have been carefully assessed and could be mitigated through conditions attached to the development.
Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, has said in a written statement:
“This statement follows the decision I made today to grant planning permission and listed building consent for a new Embassy in London,” it begins, before setting out details of the decision.”
The statement concludes “the decision is now final unless it is successfully challenged in court.”
The embassy decision is just one component of the UK’s increasingly complex relationship with China.
The decision to approve the embassy plans may open the door for Starmer to make an official state visit to Beijing in the next few weeks, and also increase the chances for the UK’s own mega-embassy in China to be approved.
Increasing Chinese Presence in London
China’s presence in the London property market is noticeable in ownership trends.
Recent HM Land Registry data show that the number of UK property titles held by mainland Chinese buyers surged by about 41% between 2021 and 2025.
China purchased the Royal Mint Court site for £255m in 2018, and if completed, the 20,000-square-metre complex will be the largest embassy in Europe.
The scale and location of this project is the main point of concern for critics, but a UK government spokesman insisted there were “clear security advantages” to the Chinese consolidating their seven different embassy sites in London into one large building.
Notable reactions and criticisms
Reactions have been flooding in throughout the day as MPs, residents, and other officials speak on the announcement.
Representatives of nearby residents have been outspoken since the announcement.
Mark Nygate, treasurer of the Royal Mint Residents’ Association, has said today, “The residents are determined to keep fighting today’s decision.”
“We intend to do a judicial review. The documents have just turned up from the Ministry of Housing and we will be passing those over to a barrister to do an independent review to give us some feedback. At that point we will move forward with the judicial review, based on legal opinions that have already been given in 2025.”
Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee quickly released a statement in response to the approval.
“It is appropriate that China has a diplomatic presence and embassy in the UK, as the UK does in China.
“However, there is a wider context which must be borne in mind: we know that the UK is of significant interest to China when it comes to espionage and interference, and that its state intelligence apparatus targets the UK and its interests prolifically and aggressively.”
Moreover, Sir James Cleverly, the shadow communities secretary, had harsh words for the government’s decision.
“This is a disgraceful act of cowardice from a Labour Government and Prime Minister utterly devoid of backbone.
“The first duty of any Government is to keep the country safe. But Keir Starmer has relegated that most critical priority beneath his desperate desire for Beijing’s approval.
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HeadlineUK Government approves plans for Chinese mega-embassy
Short HeadlineChina given the go-ahead for new London mega-embassy
StandfirstPlans for a new Chinese embassy in central London have been approved by the UK government, despite objections from MPs and local residents.
Plans for a new Chinese embassy in London have been accepted, following a decision by the government.
The government announced this morning it has approved plans for a new Chinese embassy in London after concluding that security and public safety risks could be managed.
The plans were rejected by Tower Hamlets Council in 2022 over safety concerns, but when Chinese officials resubmitted their application in 2024, the government took over the decision.
Demonstrators protested outside the site on Sunday in a last-ditch attempt, calling for the plan’s rejection. Lucy North/PA
A 240-page document containing the decision says concerns around protests, policing, and the site’s location have been carefully assessed and could be mitigated through conditions attached to the development.
Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, has said in a written statement:
“This statement follows the decision I made today to grant planning permission and listed building consent for a new Embassy in London,” it begins, before setting out details of the decision.”
The statement concludes “the decision is now final unless it is successfully challenged in court.”
The embassy decision is just one component of the UK’s increasingly complex relationship with China.
The decision to approve the embassy plans may open the door for Starmer to make an official state visit to Beijing in the next few weeks, and also increase the chances for the UK’s own mega-embassy in China to be approved.
Increasing Chinese Presence in London
China’s presence in the London property market is noticeable in ownership trends.
Recent HM Land Registry data show that the number of UK property titles held by mainland Chinese buyers surged by about 41% between 2021 and 2025.
China purchased the Royal Mint Court site for £255m in 2018, and if completed, the 20,000-square-metre complex will be the largest embassy in Europe.
The scale and location of this project is the main point of concern for critics, but a UK government spokesman insisted there were “clear security advantages” to the Chinese consolidating their seven different embassy sites in London into one large building.
Notable reactions and criticisms
Reactions have been flooding in throughout the day as MPs, residents, and other officials speak on the announcement.
Representatives of nearby residents have been outspoken since the announcement.
Mark Nygate, treasurer of the Royal Mint Residents’ Association, has said today, “The residents are determined to keep fighting today’s decision.”
“We intend to do a judicial review. The documents have just turned up from the Ministry of Housing and we will be passing those over to a barrister to do an independent review to give us some feedback. At that point we will move forward with the judicial review, based on legal opinions that have already been given in 2025.”
Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee quickly released a statement in response to the approval.
“It is appropriate that China has a diplomatic presence and embassy in the UK, as the UK does in China.
“However, there is a wider context which must be borne in mind: we know that the UK is of significant interest to China when it comes to espionage and interference, and that its state intelligence apparatus targets the UK and its interests prolifically and aggressively.”
Moreover, Sir James Cleverly, the shadow communities secretary, had harsh words for the government’s decision.
“This is a disgraceful act of cowardice from a Labour Government and Prime Minister utterly devoid of backbone.
“The first duty of any Government is to keep the country safe. But Keir Starmer has relegated that most critical priority beneath his desperate desire for Beijing’s approval.
