Boris Johnson approved the China’s super-embassy proposal in 2018 and welcomed the fact it would represent “China’s largest overseas diplomatic investment” anywhere in the world, the Guardian can disclose. In a letter to Wang Yi, China’s top diplomat, Johnson gave his consent for Royal Mint Court to house a sprawling diplomatic complex in May 2018. The Chinese government bought the 20,000 sq metres site for £255m that same month. The disclosure demonstrates that the Conservatives under Theresa May gave Beijing assurances that it could proceed with the proposal, which is…
Tag: Planning policy
Chinese embassy approval could be unlawful if UK ministers gave advance assurances
Approving a Chinese super-embassy in east London could be unlawful if ministers gave Beijing assurances about the project in advance, one of the UK’s top planning lawyers has concluded. If Keir Starmer or his team made promises to the Chinese government about the embassy, it could constitute “actual or apparent predetermination” of the planning application, according to the legal opinion by Lord Banner. The opinion was commissioned by a group of residents opposed to the proposed Chinese embassy near Tower Bridge, which has attracted fierce opposition because of security, human…
China threatens UK with ‘consequences’ over delayed London mega embassy
Tensions between Britain and China have escalated after Beijing criticised further delays to a planning decision on its proposed “mega embassy” in London. China’s ministry of foreign affairs expressed “grave concern and strong dissatisfaction” after Steve Reed, the housing secretary, pushed back his final decision on the proposal until 10 December. The row further complicates attempts by Keir Starmer, the prime minister, to reset relations with Beijing, which have already been damaged by a row over alleged Chinese espionage in the UK. Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign…
Starmer on horns of dilemma over China’s seven-year mega-embassy saga
In 2018, a prime piece of real estate near the Tower of London that was once home to a Cistercian abbey and later became the historic manufacturing site for British coins was sold to the Chinese government. The £255m deal, brokered by Eddie Lister, one of Boris Johnson’s closest aides, provided China with a site to build a new diplomatic complex stretching across 20,000 square metres. China’s then ambassador, Liu Xiaoming, expressed hopes that the deal would “write a new chapter for a China-UK golden era”. But over the seven…
Ministers delay planning decision on Chinese ‘super-embassy’ in London
Ministers have delayed a decision on whether to grant planning permission to a proposed Chinese “super-embassy” in London amid concerns about redacted drawings in the building’s plans. The deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner, was expected to make a decision on 9 September but has pushed the date back to 21 October, saying more time was needed to consider the plans for the development, which would occupy 20,000 square metres (five acres) at Royal Mint Court in east London. The plan has met fierce opposition from local people and campaigners concerned…
Why are proposals for China’s super-embassy in London so contentious?
Ministers have asked China to explain redacted designs for a “super-embassy” in London as they prepare for a final decision on the controversial building. What’s at stake and why are the proposals so contentious? What is China proposing? If the building goes ahead it would be the biggest embassy in Europe, in the heart of the city and near the Tower of London. The 20,000 sq metre (5 acre) site, which was once home to the Royal Mint, was bought by China for £225m in 2018. Beijing commissioned David Chipperfield,…
Ministers ask China to explain redacted designs for London ‘super-embassy’
Ministers have asked China to send them the unredacted designs for its proposed “super-embassy” in London or justify why some of the drawings have been blacked out. In a letter on Wednesday Angela Rayner, the housing secretary and deputy prime minister, gave the Chinese embassy two weeks to send additional details about its plans before a crunch decision over whether to approve them. The government must deliver a verdict on the proposed super-embassy, which would occupy a sprawling 20,000 sq metres at Royal Mint Court in east London, by 9…
China’s new London embassy on hold pending Westminster intervention
China has temporarily shelved plans to build a new embassy in London, angrily accusing the British government of not doing enough to force through planning permission for the project. China had been given until Thursday to file an appeal to Tower Hamlets council in east London after the proposals for the embassy were rejected. Beijing bought the Royal Mint Court site for its new embassy in 2018 for £255m, with the plan to move from its long-term but relatively cramped site in Portland Place, near Regent’s Park. Chinese officials appear…
London council rejects new Chinese embassy amid residents’ safety fears
London councillors have rejected plans for a new Chinese embassy, which would have been the largest diplomatic base in the UK, after residents and advocacy groups raised safety concerns. In a tense meeting, the Tower Hamlets council voted unanimously against the proposed development to move the current embassy to a 2-hectare (5-acre) site opposite the Tower of London. Local residents and advocacy groups, who feared being swept into protests, called the plans into question, saying they would endanger people’s lives. Simon Cheng, the founder of Hongkongers in Britain and a…