The United Kingdom has approved plans for a new Chinese \u201cmega embassy\u201d in central London, despite fears it could make it easier for the Chinese Communist Party to conduct nefarious spying operations on the West.<\/p>\n
The approval \u2014 which clears the way for what would become Beijing\u2019s largest diplomatic outpost in Europe \u2014 allows China to redevelop a sprawling <\/a>former Royal Mint site near the Tower of London into a single, consolidated embassy complex. <\/p>\n It would replace Beijing\u2019s current, smaller facility elsewhere in the capital.<\/p>\n The United Kingdom has approved plans for a new Chinese \u201cmega embassy\u201d in central London, allowing China to redevelop a sprawling former Royal Mint site near the Tower of London into a single, consolidated complex. Getty Images<\/p>\n The site has faced political scrutiny due to its size, location and potential security threats. Getty Images<\/p>\n The proposed site, colloquially dubbed a \u201cmega embassy,\u201d has been under consideration for years, drawing political scrutiny due to its size, location and potential security threats.<\/p>\n The site will enable China to house thousands <\/a>of staff under one roof. <\/p>\n The decision ends a years-long planning fight that drew warnings from MPs and human rights groups.<\/p>\n UK Security Minister Dan Jarvis defended the move in parliament, insisting national security had been fully assessed.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile some would stick their heads in the sand and ignore the obvious need to engage, this government is engaging with China confidently and pragmatically,\u201d Mr Jarvis said. <\/p>\n Still, he acknowledged that China posed threats to Western security<\/a>, including through \u201ccyber attacks, foreign\u00a0interference and espionage targeting our democratic institutions, the transnational repression of Hong Kongers and of course, China\u2019s support for Russia\u2019s illegal invasion of Ukraine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut following detailed consideration of all possible risks around this new embassy by expert officials across government, I am assured that the UK\u2019s national security is protected,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n MPs and human rights groups have warned against the decision. Stephen Chung\/LNP\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n Protesters outside Royal Mint Court, near the Tower of London, on Saturday. Stephen Chung\/LNP\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n Critics were unconvinced.<\/p>\n Rep. John Moolenaar (R-Mi.), chairman of the House Select Committee on the CCP, blasted the decision as defying common sense on Tuesday.<\/p>\n \u201cThe UK\u2019s decision defies common sense. It is effectively rewarding China for spying on Parliament, interfering in the UK\u2019s elections, and fueling Russia\u2019s war in Ukraine,\u201d he said in a statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cChina is also suspected of cutting undersea cables, so letting it build on the land above critical infrastructure is a serious security risk. The only safeguard against the mega-embassy is to prohibit its construction,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n A demonstrator holds a protest sign reading, \u201cDefend DEMOCRACY Reject DICTATORS.\u201d Stephen Chung\/LNP\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n Christopher Mung speaks during a protest against the new Chinese embassy in Victoria Tower Gardens on Tuesday. Getty Images<\/p>\n Conservative MP Alicia Kearns also last week warned the embassy could become \u201ca launch pad for economic warfare against the UK,\u201d citing its scale and location.<\/p>\n Labour MP Sarah Champion was even more blunt, saying: \u201cEvery security briefing I\u2019ve had identifies China as a hostile state to the UK,\u201d according to the BBC<\/a>.<\/p>\n