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The historic Royal Mint Court, once home to Britain’s Royal Mint from 1810 to 1975 and sitting atop medieval ruins, is set to become China’s new embassy in London. If approved by the Labour government, the move will relocate China’s diplomatic headquarters from Marylebone to a sprawling 5.5-acre site near the Tower of London, making it the largest Chinese embassy in Europe.
However, the proposal has sparked strong opposition from local residents, lawmakers critical of China, and Hong Kong pro-democracy activists now living in the UK. Many fear the embassy could be used for surveillance due to its proximity to critical infrastructure, while others argue that its location on a busy road could limit protests against China’s policies in Hong Kong and Xinjiang.
“This isn’t just an embassy; it’s an extension of the Chinese Communist Party’s power in the UK,” said Chloe Cheung from the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation during a recent protest attended by over 1,000 demonstrators. Cheung, who fled Hong Kong in 2020, warned that the facility would enable Beijing to exert control and intimidate dissidents.
The Tower Hamlets council had initially rejected the project in 2022, but China resubmitted its application after Labour came to power. Chinese President Xi Jinping personally raised the matter with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, leading the government to take direct control over the decision. A public inquiry into the proposal has concluded, with Housing Secretary Angela Rayner expected to rule on it by summer.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper have provisionally backed the project, emphasizing the need for reciprocal diplomatic arrangements between the two nations. Meanwhile, critics in Parliament have expressed concerns over security risks and China’s lobbying efforts, which included gifts to local council members and a letter-writing campaign from businesses like Bank of China and Air China.
Despite opposition, many believe approval is inevitable, particularly as the UK seeks economic ties with China amid stagnation. The government has requested modifications to the embassy’s design to address security concerns, but China has resisted making changes.
With the Labour government in power for the foreseeable future, opponents fear they have lost their fight. Conservative councilor Peter Golds summed up the frustration: “An American government wouldn’t permit this—imagine a Chinese embassy right next to Wall Street.”
