LONDON, Feb 9: A large group of protesters, including UK shadow ministers and members of the Opposition Conservative Party, gathered at the proposed location for China’s planned mega embassy in east London. Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick, shadow security minister Tom Tugendhat, and former Tory leader Ian Duncan Smith were present among representatives from Hong Kong, Uyghur, and Tibetan communities at the historic Royal Mint Court site near the Tower of London on Saturday.
Shadow ministers are opposition members tasked with overseeing government activities. Reports from UK media indicate that these demonstrators aimed to express their concerns over a significantly larger embassy project, fearing it could serve as a potential “spy hub” should it proceed, making it one of Europe’s largest Chinese diplomatic missions.
“We do not want this historic site — overshadowed by the Tower of London — to become a mega embassy for the Chinese Communist Party,” Jenrick stated at the protest. “This is not the appropriate location; the process is flawed, and it poses a risk to our national security,” added the former housing minister.
Tensions escalated when the Metropolitan Police clashed with the demonstrators, who raised slogans such as “Stand with Hong Kong” and “Mega Embassy, Mega No,” emphasizing their opposition to this proposed massive embassy complex.
In 2018, China purchased the 20,000 square meter site at Royal Mint Court for £225 million, and plans were submitted to the Tower Hamlets Council for a new, larger embassy compared to the current location at Portland Place near Baker Street.
The council initially rejected a planning application in 2022, but after a resubmission last year, it was again denied during a special meeting of the Strategic Development Committee in December. The rejection stemmed from worries about resident and tourist safety, heritage considerations, police resource allocation, and traffic safety, given the area’s congestion.
However, the final decision now lies with Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, following a “call-in” by her Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), which serves as the ultimate decision-making body.
A Tower Hamlets Council spokesperson stated, “The Metropolitan Police has formally lifted its objection to the planning application, stating there is ample space for future protests without significantly disrupting the adjacent road network.”
They further explained, “A public inquiry is scheduled to take place from February 11-18, where a Planning Inspector will evaluate the application. Following the inquiry, the Inspector will make a recommendation to the Secretary of State regarding whether the application should be approved or rejected. The Secretary of State will then render the final verdict.”
The MHCLG Secretary of State is authorized to “call in” planning applications deemed to have national significance according to government policies.
It is reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping has discussed this matter directly with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. (PTI)
