London's Financial Network at Stake... Approval Imminent for Massive Chinese Embassy Construction

The Times Reports: Starmer Set to Approve Chinese Embassy
Approval Expected Ahead of First China Visit in Eight Years
Concerns Over Espionage Remain... "Sensitive to Security"

As a massive new Chinese embassy is set to be built in central London, security concerns are emerging from some quarters. Yonhap News reported on the 12th (local time), citing the British daily The Times, that "Prime Minister Keir Starmer has completed preparations to approve the construction of a massive Chinese embassy in central London, despite security concerns."

As a massive new Chinese embassy is set to be built in central London, security concerns are emerging from some quarters. Photo by AP Yonhap News

Prime Minister Starmer is scheduled to visit China at the end of this month, marking the first visit by a British prime minister in eight years. He is reportedly set to approve the embassy's construction ahead of his trip. The plan has gained momentum as the Security Service (MI5), which oversees domestic and foreign intelligence, and the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) have not officially objected to the embassy project.

Previously, China acquired the former Royal Mint site in London, which spans 22,000 square meters (approximately 6,655 pyeong), and has been working to build the largest embassy in Europe. However, the British government has postponed granting construction approval several times, citing security concerns and other issues.

There are specific concerns regarding the embassy's location. The site is near financial institutions' communication networks, which are reported to transmit data to London's financial district and handle the email and message traffic of millions of internet users.

Labour Party lawmakers have sent a letter to Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, urging him not to approve the construction of the Chinese embassy. In their letter, they pointed out that "the embassy would be situated directly above infrastructure that is critical and sensitive to the UK's economic and national security." In addition, Dominic Cummings, former chief adviser to former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, claimed, "In the past, MI5 and MI6 warned that China was planning to build a spy center beneath the embassy."

The United Kingdom's Security Service (MI5) issued a public warning to members of Parliament in October last year, stating that spies from China, Russia, and Iran are targeting politicians to undermine British democracy. Photo by AP Yonhap News

If the new embassy is approved, China plans to close more than six diplomatic facilities scattered throughout London. The British Prime Minister's Office believes that consolidating China's diplomatic facilities into a single site would be more advantageous from a security perspective. At the same time, the UK is also hoping for approval of a redevelopment plan for its embassy in Beijing, which is valued at 100 million pounds (approximately 198.5 billion won).

However, The Times pointed out that "Prime Minister Starmer's upcoming visit to China and the approval of the Chinese embassy come after intelligence agencies warned of large-scale Chinese espionage activities in the UK," and warned that there could be political backlash.

Previously, the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA), under MI5, released new security guidelines in October last year to protect the UK's democratic institutions from foreign espionage and political interference. At that time, MI5 drew attention by issuing an unusual public warning to members of Parliament, stating that "spies from China, Russia, and Iran are targeting politicians to undermine British democracy."