Overview
- The government granted final planning approval for the new mission, with Housing and Communities Secretary Steve Reed saying the decision stands unless overturned in court.
- Downing Street said national security remains the top priority, noting intelligence services were involved throughout and risk-mitigation measures are in place.
- Opponents warn of espionage risks, pointing to recent British press reports about alleged secret rooms near sensitive communications cables and pledging potential legal challenges.
- China bought the 20,000 m2 former Royal Mint site in 2018 for €316 million, and the complex would be the largest embassy in the UK and China’s largest in Western Europe.
- Beijing had publicly criticized repeated delays, and British media report a possible Starmer visit to China later this month that has not been confirmed by his office.