Britain’s government on Tuesday (Jan. 20) approved the building of China’s largest embassy in London despite British and US politicians’ warnings that it could be used as a base for spying.
Chris Philip, Shadow Home Secretary of the U.K., told members of parliament that the government has capitulated to Chinese demands.
“Despite everything China has done on our soil, China has been rewarded with exactly what they want, a super embassy that will be a base for espionage, not just in the U.K., but likely across Europe as well,” he said.
Philip further said U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 in November 2024, and quoted Starmer’s words, “You raised the Chinese embassy building in London when we spoke on the telephone. We have since taken action by calling in that application.”
“In other words, the Prime Minister did precisely what President Xi told him to do, and then he faithfully reported back afterwards,” he added.
“This decision has serious implications. Last week, the Telegraph published plans showing 208 secret rooms and a hidden chamber just one metre from critical data cables.”
“Our economy depends on those cables. So what assurance can the Minister give that those cables will be secure from Chinese interference?” Philip added.
The proposed site for the Chinese embassy is the two-century-old Royal Mint Court near the Tower of London.
Chinese dissidents and Hong Kong pro-democracy activists who were persecuted by the CCP and had fled to the U.K. fear the embassy would make it easy for the CCP to target them.
Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Chloe Cheung said she has a HK$1 million or S$165,000 bounty on her head by the CCP and fears for her life.
The CCP’s plans have stalled for three years over opposition from local residents, lawmakers and Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigners in Britain.
Xi asked Starmer last year to intervene.
The decision was announced ahead of an expected visit to China by Starmer this month, the first by a British leader since 2018.
Some British and Chinese officials said the trip was dependent on the embassy being approved.
