Intelligence on China embassy threat left out to ‘avoid upsetting Beijing’

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/11/intelligence-china-embassy-left-out-avoid-beijing-upset/

Posted by TheTelegraph

4 comments

  1. British intelligence agencies were prevented from directly submitting spying concerns about the Chinese super-embassy in London.

    The embassy, which would be China’s largest in Europe, has prompted national security warnings from officials, including over a “[spy dungeon](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/05/26/chinese-super-embassy-poses-cyber-risk-government-experts/)” in the basement of the building.

    Ministers have “called in” China’s planning application to be reconsidered after it was initially rejected by Tower Hamlets council.

    The Telegraph can reveal the UK’s intelligence agencies have been prevented from submitting concerns to the Government about spying in the embassy, because their evidence would also be disclosed to Beijing.

    MI5, MI6, GCHQ and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) are not allowed to give evidence about national security risks, which have previously included fears that China would tap into underground cables that serve the nearby City of London.

    Ministers admitted that the agencies have not directly given evidence to [Steve Reed](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/steve-reed/), the housing secretary, who is responsible for deciding whether the construction will go ahead.

    **Read more:** [**https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/11/intelligence-china-embassy-left-out-avoid-beijing-upset/**](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/11/intelligence-china-embassy-left-out-avoid-beijing-upset/)

  2. The agencies we rely on to keep us safe from foreign actors were blocked from protecting us from foreign actors?

    Sounds about right.

  3. The conservatives truly loved selling this country to the highest bidder

  4. We shouldn’t give a fuck about upsetting Beijing – just follow it up with a message to the Chinese people telling them that we don’t have anything against them but we think their tyrannical leader is a cocksucker and unfit for the future of humanity.

    PEACE ✌️

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