UK Approves China’s Mega Embassy in London Amid Espionage and Human Rights Concerns
5 min readThe controversial approval of the Mega Embassy in London sparks outrage from lawmakers, Uyghur activists, and human rights groups; experts and IPAC call for judicial review ahead of Prime Minister Starmer’s China visit.
By Uyghur Times Staff
Jan 20, 2026
The United Kingdom has approved China’s controversial plan to build a “mega embassy” in London, clearing the way for Beijing’s largest diplomatic complex in Europe despite fierce opposition from lawmakers, human rights groups, and security experts.
The decision, announced just days before Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s planned visit to Beijing to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping, authorizes China to redevelop the former Royal Mint Court site near the Tower of London into a massive, consolidated embassy complex.
China purchased the Royal Mint Court property in 2018. The site sits close to sensitive fibre-optic cables that carry communications to and from financial institutions in the City of London and would allow Beijing to house thousands of staff under one roof, replacing its current, smaller embassy elsewhere in the capital.
The approval ends a years-long planning battle that triggered repeated warnings from Members of Parliament, residents, and human rights organizations over espionage risks and national security.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis defended the decision in Parliament, saying national security concerns had been carefully reviewed.
“While some would stick their heads in the sand and ignore the obvious need to engage, this government is engaging with China confidently and pragmatically,” Jarvis said.
He acknowledged, however, that China poses serious threats to Western security, including “cyber attacks, foreign interference and espionage targeting our democratic institutions, the transnational repression of Hong Kongers and of course, China’s support for Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.”
“But following detailed consideration of all possible risks around this new embassy by expert officials across government, I am assured that the UK’s national security is protected,” he added.
MI5 warns it is “not realistic” to eliminate “every potential risk” linked to China’s new London embassy, Sky News reports.
U.S. Lawmakers and Security Experts Condemn Decision
The move drew sharp criticism from U.S. lawmakers and security analysts.
Rep. John Moolenaar (R-Mich.), chairman of the U.S. House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, called the decision “defying common sense.”
“The UK’s decision defies common sense. It is effectively rewarding China for spying on Parliament, interfering in the UK’s elections, and fueling Russia’s war in Ukraine,” Moolenaar said.
“China is also suspected of cutting undersea cables, so letting it build on the land above critical infrastructure is a serious security risk. The only safeguard against the mega-embassy is to prohibit its construction,” he added.
Human Rights Activists Warn of Moral Failure
London-based Uyghur activist Rahima Mahmut, who has been advocating for the Uyghur rights and opposing the China’s embassy project, strongly condemned the approval, linking it to China’s ongoing repression of Uyghurs.
“The Mega Embassy approval sends a chilling message: genocide is negotiable. Normalising relations with a state committing genocide & crimes against humanity is a moral failure, taken under a Labour government led by former human rights lawyer @Keir_Starmer. History will judge this,” she said.
Yalkun Uluyol, a China researcher at Human Rights Watch, raised concerns about political pressure tied to Starmer’s upcoming China visit.
“The UK govt approved China’s new mega embassy in London. Two Qs: Was it a condition for Starmer’s upcoming China visit? Has his govt sidestepped concerns from MPs, civil society, residents, & British Hongkongers, Uyghurs, Tibetans & Chinese dissidents under pressure from Beijing?” he asked.
British Lawmakers Raise Alarm
Former Conservative Party leader and MP Iain Duncan Smith called the decision “strategically reckless.”
“Approving the decision for a Chinese mega-embassy at Royal Mint Court near the Tower of London is strategically reckless and a terrible decision. Residents’ legal challenges will almost certainly expose the extent of government involvement behind the scenes. All the evidence points one way: ministers have positioned themselves to approve this embassy to protect trade relations with China, while turning a blind eye to its record,” he said.
Analysts Warn of Strategic Consequences
Melissa Chen, Vice President at Strategy Risks, questioned the timing and secrecy surrounding the decision.
“This comes a day after Starmer lectures the US about how allies should behave. There are secret chambers and tunnels — the whole thing is shady and everyone knows it. It was the epicenter of Beijing’s illegal spying network in the US, with activities escalating over years despite warnings,” she said.
Isaac Stone Fish, CEO of Strategy Risks, warned that closer alignment with Beijing could backfire.
“To the United Kingdom, Canada, and countries around the world that are deservedly upset with the United States and Trump: moving closer to China hurts you more than it hurts the United States. Stop cutting off your nose to spite your face,” he said.
China Welcomes Approval
Former Chinese diplomat Victor Gao dismissed criticism and urged Britain to accept Beijing’s growing influence.
“People in Britain… need to live with the megatrend of China,” Gao said, adding that the UK should approve the embassy plans.
Opposition indicated it would not stop taking action: ‘The only way to stop this now is through judicial review.’”
The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), a cross-party and international coalition of lawmakers critical of Beijing, said it would continue opposing the project.
“Today in Westminster, IPAC members gathered to support residents who have formally launched a judicial review against the approval of the mega-embassy,” the group said.
Luke de Pulford, Co-Founder and Executive Director of IPAC, said while raising funds:
“The only way to stop this now is through judicial review.”
⚠️ He urged supporters to help residents reach their £150,000 target to challenge the decision in court.
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