China Refuses to Submit Blueprints for 6,700-Pyeong Embassy
Suspicions of Detention Facilities for Dissidents
Heightened Eavesdropping Risks via Undersea Cable
A view of the former Royal Mint in London, where the Chinese government plans to build a new embassy. The site spans 22,000 square meters (approximately 6,655 pyeong), expected to become the largest embassy in Europe. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
The Chinese government is facing controversy over its construction of a massive new embassy in the heart of London, as it has refused to disclose parts of the architectural plans for security reasons. Allegations have surfaced that the facility could be used to detain and hold anti-China dissidents in exile. There are also warnings that the site could be exploited to infiltrate the UK’s financial system and conduct various forms of wiretapping by taking advantage of communication lines running beneath the property.
China Conceals Blueprints Citing Security Concerns
The former London Royal Mint building, purchased by the Chinese government in 2018, is planned for the construction of a new embassy. Photo by EPA
On August 6 (local time), the UK Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities sent a letter to the Chinese Embassy in the UK, demanding the embassy provide a complete set of architectural plans for its expansion project. The department stated, "You must provide the new Chinese embassy’s blueprints or clearly and comprehensively specify any missing sections," and added, "You must also explain the reasons and justification for redacting certain parts in black."
Previously, the Chinese Embassy had announced plans to build a new embassy on the site of the former Royal Mint in London. In 2018, China purchased the 22,000-square-meter (approximately 6,655 pyeong) site for 255 million pounds (about 476.3 billion won). Once completed, the embassy is expected to be the largest in Europe. The Chinese government’s construction proposal includes office spaces, a large underground area, residential buildings capable of accommodating more than 200 staff members, and tunnels connecting the various buildings.
Some of the building blueprints were submitted with sections blacked out for security reasons. The embassy also failed to properly set the perimeter boundaries, stating that "further discussions are needed," despite requests to do so. The UK Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has demanded that China submit clear blueprints and explanatory materials by August 20, and plans to review the documents and decide by September 9 whether to approve the embassy’s expansion.
Suspicions of Facilities for Detaining Dissidents
A guard tower of a detention center in Yarkant County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. Photo by AP Yonhap News
There are growing suspicions both inside and outside the UK that the Chinese government may be constructing facilities within the new embassy to secretly detain and hold anti-government dissidents. These concerns are particularly acute among those who sought asylum in the UK following the 2019 Hong Kong pro-democracy protests, as the new embassy could pose a significant threat to them.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a US-based think tank, recently reported, "Within the Hong Kong community in the UK, which grew after the pro-democracy protests, there is increasing concern that the new Chinese embassy could be used for illegal detentions." The report added, "Since 2022, there have been allegations that China has used its diplomatic missions in London, Glasgow, and other locations to monitor and suppress dissidents."
Since the Hong Kong pro-democracy protests, the number of Hong Kongers who have sought asylum in the UK to escape political persecution has reached 285,000. Both within and outside the UK government, there are claims that the Chinese government is using its diplomatic missions in the UK as bases to infiltrate intelligence agents in order to suppress anti-government protests and restrict political activities.
In October 2022, an incident occurred in which a protester criticizing Chinese President Xi Jinping was dragged inside the Chinese Consulate in Manchester and assaulted during a demonstration. The situation was resolved when UK police, who had been dispatched to respond to the protest, entered the consulate and retrieved the assaulted protester. Afterwards, the UK Foreign Office lodged a protest with the Chinese Consulate, but the Chinese side responded, "A portrait insulting the head of state was displayed at the consulate’s main entrance. Such an act is unacceptable at any embassy or consulate," expressing their own objections.
Concerns Over Infiltration of London’s Financial System: "Risk of Undersea Cable Wiretapping"
There are also mounting security concerns over the fact that undersea cables run beneath the site of the new Chinese embassy. Experts warn that Chinese hackers could illegally infiltrate the UK’s financial system, and that the communications network could be used to eavesdrop on critical information exchanged between the UK and its allies.
The BBC, citing experts, reported, "The former Royal Mint site, where the new Chinese embassy will be built, has fiber-optic undersea cables running beneath it and was formerly home to Barclays Bank, meaning it could be connected to the UK’s financial system." The report also noted, "British Telecom (BT) has a telephone exchange near the site, further increasing concerns about wiretapping risks."
The White House also reportedly conveyed its concerns about the new Chinese embassy to the UK government in June. The warning was that China could illegally access the networks of the so-called Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance-comprising the UK, the US, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand-and conduct espionage activities.
However, it remains unclear whether the UK government will ultimately reject the new Chinese embassy’s construction. The Guardian reported, "Amid economic recession and uncertainty in relations with the United States, China represents a major new source of investment." The paper added, "If the construction plan is rejected, China may also withdraw its plans for new UK investments worth up to 600 million pounds (about 1.12 trillion won)."
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