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The UK government has postponed a final ruling on China’s proposed “super-embassy” in London until January, coinciding with Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s expected visit to Beijing. Officials are now widely expected to approve the plan after both the Home Office and Foreign Office raised no security objections in their formal assessments.
Security agencies have indicated they can manage any risks posed by the site, which would become China’s largest diplomatic complex worldwide. A government spokesperson said that merging China’s seven current London diplomatic locations into a single site would actually improve security.
China plans to consolidate all of its London diplomatic operations at Royal Mint Court, a 20,000-square-metre site near Tower Bridge. The planning decision has been pushed back for the third time and is now scheduled for 20 January, around the time of Starmer’s anticipated trip to China for bilateral talks. If he goes ahead with the visit, Starmer would be the first UK prime minister to travel to Beijing since Theresa May in 2018.
In a speech on Monday, Starmer said Britain must move away from inconsistent policies on China, rejecting both the previous “golden age” and the later period of hostility. He described China as a powerful global actor in technology, trade and governance, and said the government’s approach would be based on realism, strength and clear judgement rather than fear or illusion.
In a joint letter shared with parliamentarians, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said their departments had thoroughly reviewed all aspects of the proposal. They confirmed that police and security agencies had been consulted and stressed the importance of balancing diplomatic relations with national security.
The project has faced strong opposition from local residents and human rights activists, who point to China’s record in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. Several demonstrations have taken place near the proposed site.
A government spokesperson said the final decision would be made independently by the housing secretary. Officials also confirmed that all security concerns raised earlier this year had now been addressed. If approved, the new embassy would replace China’s seven existing sites across London.
China purchased Royal Mint Court in 2018 for £255 million, but its embassy plans were blocked in 2022 when Tower Hamlets council refused planning permission. The previous Conservative government chose not to overrule the council, but the current Labour government intervened after coming to power last summer.
