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Decision on China’s 'Mega' London Embassy Delayed Again Amid Security Concerns

The U.K. has pushed back a decision on a large proposed Chinese embassy at Royal Mint Court, extending the deadline to Jan. 20 to address security concerns raised by the Home and Foreign Offices. The site, near the City of London and critical data cables, would be about 20,000 sq metres and potentially Europe’s largest embassy if approved. The move follows wider scrutiny of how recent espionage allegations involving two men were handled and comes ahead of an expected UK visit to Beijing.

04:37 AM, 12/03/2025Security

Officials have again postponed a decision on plans for an expanded Chinese embassy at Royal Mint Court in central London, citing unresolved security concerns. The Planning Inspectorate extended the deadline from Dec. 10 to Jan. 20 to allow further consideration of advice provided by the Home Office and Foreign Office.

'The Home Office and Foreign Office have provided views on particular security implications, and have been clear throughout that a decision shouldn’t be taken until we affirm that those considerations have been completed or resolved,' Tom Wells, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, said.

The proposed development — often described in media reports as a 'mega embassy' — would occupy the Royal Mint Court site near the Tower of London and the City of London financial district. At roughly 20,000 square metres, it would be the largest embassy in Europe if approved. Critics have raised concerns that its proximity to critical data cables and financial infrastructure could create security risks and potential intelligence vulnerabilities.

The delay comes as the U.K. faces heightened scrutiny over how it has handled recent allegations of Chinese espionage. Two men, former parliamentary researcher Christopher Cash and academic Christopher Berry, were charged last year with spying for China; prosecutors later dropped the charges. Officials said at the time that they were unable to provide testimony necessary to establish that China posed a national security threat during the period when the alleged offences occurred (2021–2023).

Some opposition voices and security experts have suggested the timing of the postponed decision may also be linked to preparations for an anticipated visit by Prime Minister Starmer to Beijing early next year, though ministers deny political considerations have overridden security assessments.

Beijing has criticized the handling of the proposal, accusing the U.K. of 'constantly complicating and politicizing the matter.' The Planning Inspectorate’s extension gives authorities more time to resolve outstanding security questions before a final determination is made.

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