Opponents protest against China’s planned UK ‘mega embassy’ as decision deadline loons

British Opposition Leader Joins Protest Against Planned Chinese Embassy in London

Britain’s Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch joined hundreds of protesters Saturday to voice opposition against China’s planned new embassy in London, just days before the government faces a crucial decision on the project’s future.

Addressing the crowd gathered at the proposed site near Tower Bridge, Badenoch urged the Labour government to reject the plans, citing China’s history of harassment toward British officials and citizens. “We know that we have to stand up to the abuses of China. And what worries me is that we have a government right now that seems to be scared of China,” she told demonstrators who chanted “no China mega embassy.”

The protest comes as Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government approaches a Tuesday deadline to decide whether to approve what would become the largest Chinese diplomatic compound in Europe. The embassy would be built on the former Royal Mint site, strategically positioned near London’s financial district and critical data infrastructure.

The project has faced a seven-year delay marked by legal challenges and political debate. Despite these hurdles, political observers widely expect the government to approve the development, potentially clearing the way for Starmer to make a long-anticipated diplomatic visit to Beijing and secure an expansion of Britain’s own embassy facilities in China’s capital.

China has expressed frustration over the prolonged approval process, accusing the UK of “constantly complicating and politicizing the matter.” The diplomatic standoff highlights the delicate balance Starmer’s administration is trying to strike in UK-China relations.

Since taking office, Starmer has emphasized a pragmatic approach toward China, acknowledging the need for diplomatic dialogue and cooperation with the economic superpower while insisting that national security concerns remain “non-negotiable.” This position represents a subtle shift from the more confrontational stance adopted by previous Conservative governments.

Critics of the embassy plan, including politicians from several opposition parties who joined Saturday’s protest, warn that the 20,000-square-meter (215,000-square-foot) compound could serve as a hub for intelligence gathering and surveillance activities. Of particular concern is the potential for monitoring and intimidation of Chinese dissidents living in the UK.

These fears aren’t unfounded. Britain’s intelligence community has repeatedly warned about Chinese espionage on UK soil. Just last November, the MI5 domestic intelligence agency alerted lawmakers that Chinese agents were making “targeted and widespread” efforts to recruit and influence them through professional networking sites like LinkedIn and shell companies.

Despite these concerns, UK security services have reportedly given the embassy development a cautious green light, suggesting they believe the risks can be effectively managed. Some security experts point out that consolidating China’s current seven diplomatic premises in London onto a single site might actually simplify counterintelligence operations.

Ciaran Martin, former head of Britain’s National Cyber Security Centre, argued in The Times of London that the issue ultimately comes down to practical considerations. “Unless we want to sever diplomatic relations with China, the location of their embassy becomes an issue of practicalities, security assessments and counterintelligence operations,” he wrote, adding that no British government would override explicit security service objections if they deemed the project too dangerous.

The embassy decision comes at a time of heightened global tensions regarding China’s growing international assertiveness and amid broader concerns about foreign influence operations in Western democracies. It also represents an early foreign policy test for Starmer’s government, which must balance economic interests, diplomatic relationships, and national security considerations.

As Tuesday’s deadline approaches, the government’s decision will signal much about the direction of UK-China relations under Labour leadership and how Britain intends to position itself in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.