 "UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer (File Photo/ Reuters)")
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to sign off on plans for a vast new Chinese “super-embassy” in central London, despite security concerns raised throughout the project’s approval process.
According to The Times report on Friday, intelligence agencies MI5 and MI6 have now concluded they are comfortable with the development proceeding, provided that certain security “mitigations” are put in place.
The British government did not dispute the account when asked to comment, reported Politico.
The proposed 20,000-square-metre complex, located near the Tower of London, is set to become the largest Chinese embassy in Europe once completed.
Beijing bought the site for £255 million in 2018, but the project has drawn pushback over its proximity to key communications cables serving the City of London’s financial district.
Officials have also raised concerns about China’s refusal to disclose full internal layout plans for the building to UK authorities.
China had previously issued stern warnings of “consequences” if its new embassy was denied planning permission, prompting British ministers to postpone a final decision several times.
Despite these tensions, outgoing MI6 chief Richard Moore recently said it was “right and proper” for the project to go ahead, even amid national security concerns.
Starmer has been facing mounting political pressure at home as he attempts to recalibrate the UK’s relationship with Beijing.
His government has already taken criticism over the failed prosecution of two men accused of spying for China, and China-sceptic MPs have attacked ministers for not releasing a long-awaited review of Britain’s China strategy.
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View AllThe security services this week added to the unease, warning MPs that Chinese state agents were actively trying to target them through the professional networking site LinkedIn.
Nevertheless, Starmer is expected to visit China next year in a bid to reinforce economic ties — a trip that would make him the first UK prime minister to travel to Beijing since Theresa May in 2018.
With inputs from agencies