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US Warns UK Over China’s “Super Embassy” in Central London

China plans to build a large embassy in central London, raising US concerns over espionage risks and potential impacts on security and trade.

China plans to build a large embassy in central London, raising US concerns over espionage risks and potential impacts on security and trade.

China intends to implement a large-scale diplomatic complex project in the historic Royal Mint Court area in central London. This has sparked concerns in Washington, particularly from the administration of US President Donald Trump, which warned the UK government about potential threats, reports Baltimore Chronicle citing The Times.

The complex, dubbed the “super embassy” by the White House, will be located in close proximity to strategically important infrastructure—between the financial districts of the City and Canary Wharf, as well as near three critical data centers. The US administration fears that such a location could potentially provide China access to sensitive communication channels, including cables vital for the financial systems of both the US and the UK.

The project, previously blocked due to British intelligence concerns over espionage risks, was reactivated following the personal intervention of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The first application for the reconstruction of the Royal Mint Court area was submitted back in 2018, but only after objections from the London police and the Tower Hamlets council were withdrawn, as well as following the visit of UK Finance Minister Rachael Reeves to China, did the project gain new momentum.

Currently, the US is holding active consultations with the UK on this issue, which has become especially sensitive amid trade negotiations. By July 9, the countries must finalize new agreements to avoid the imposition of 50% tariffs on British steel. The White House stated that all decisions related to the project must be made considering the national security interests of both countries and following thorough counterintelligence review.

President Trump personally urged Labour Party leader Keir Starmer not to allow the project to proceed. The topic was also raised during recent rounds of trade talks. Should the project be realized, Washington might reconsider the format of intelligence sharing with London.

A document submitted to the US National Security Council by members of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (Ipac) notes that critical cables supplying London’s financial center run beneath the planned embassy site. Republican Chairman of the US House China Committee John Moolenaar warned that placing such a large Chinese diplomatic complex over these sensitive communication lines presents an unacceptable risk to the security of both the US and the UK.

Ipac Executive Director Luke de Pulford emphasized that the “mega-embassy” situation has become a pressure point in trade negotiations between the two allies. He noted that the US had to publicly highlight the risks to infrastructure simply to protect its own financial system.

The issue was also discussed during diplomatic talks between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy. Previously, President Xi Jinping raised this matter during a phone call with Keir Starmer. The final decision on the project will be made by UK government ministers.

Meanwhile, UK Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel declared that China poses a threat to the country’s national and economic security. She stressed that the opposition party firmly opposes Labour’s plans to allow the construction of the Chinese diplomatic center in central London. The Chinese Embassy has denied accusations of espionage, claiming that anti-China forces constantly attempt to slander and attack China.

At the same time, on June 9, another round of US-China talks aimed at resolving the trade dispute between the world’s two largest economies is scheduled to take place in London. The US delegation will include Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Latnick, and Trade Representative Jamison Greer. On the Chinese side, Vice Premier He Lifeng will visit the UK from June 8 to June 13.

Earlier we wrote that Netherlands reports rise in Chinese espionage.

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