Concerns Mount Over China’s Mega-Embassy Proposal in London

A large number of protesters unified at the Royal Mint Court in London on Saturday to oppose China’s plan for the biggest European diplomatic complex. The plans for a new Chinese embassy stirred fears among 1,000 people because they believed the facility could enable Chinese governmental control over Hong Kong residents and Uyghurs.

The Chinese government procured land adjacent to the Tower of London for building their largest European embassy across two hectares. The Labor leadership revived the embassy plan after Tower Hamlets council denied planning permission in 2022 through direct talks between President Xi Jinping and Keir Starmer.

Protesters Fear Control Over Hong Kong and Uyghur Dissidents

Many protesters, particularly Hongkongers who have sought refuge in the UK, raised alarm that the embassy could serve as a tool for Beijing to monitor and detain individuals opposed to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). One protester, Tai, 50, shared fears that the embassy might be used to target Hong Kong people in the UK, saying, “We are afraid that China will use this place to look over us.”

Another protester, Mitochondria, 20, emphasized the risk of non-legal detentions, stating, “This building could be used for holding Chinese dissidents who are on British soil to be arrested in a non-legal way.”

The Uyghur community also voiced their concerns. Using a Uyghur flag Mitochondria showed support while emphasizing the current genocide in East Turkestan and criticizing Chinese government policies.

High-profile politicians including Iain Duncan Smith, Tom Tugendhat, and Blair McDougall joined the protesters. Tugendhat, former security minister, warned that allowing the embassy to go ahead would be a “grave mistake” and send a message that the UK had chosen the wrong side by siding with authoritarian regimes.

As the protest escalated, tensions rose with police involvement, adding to the sense of unease surrounding the proposed embassy project.

The UK government is now at a crossroads. With the final decision on the embassy’s construction resting with Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, many are awaiting the outcome of next week’s local inquiry hearing. What’s your take on this issue?

Should the UK allow China’s mega-embassy to move forward?