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Britain has approved China’s application to build a “mega” embassy in London despite strong opposition and concerns over spying, with security officials saying they have designed a number of safeguards.
The decision, announced on Tuesday, ends months of wrangling, but comes at a difficult time for the government as Donald Trump has threatened Greenland and criticized Britain’s stance on a number of foreign policy issues.
The proposed embassy has become a flashpoint in UK-China relations in recent months, as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer looks to boost stronger trade ties with Beijing and prepares to visit China.
China has criticized multiple delays in the decision by the government, while critics have warned that the building on the former site of the Royal Mint could serve as a spying centre, as sensitive data cables pass near the City of London.
Meanwhile, Britain wants to rebuild its embassy in Beijing, but is struggling to gain approval for the project from the Chinese government.
Foreign Office minister Seema Malhotra told the House of Commons on Monday that UK security and intelligence agencies were “involved” in the decision-making process and that “a number of measures have been developed and are being implemented to protect national security”.
He did not give further details about the measures.
The embassy approval clears the way for Starmer to visit Beijing next week, the first such visit by a British prime minister in eight years.
Baroness Theresa May, a former Conservative prime minister, was the last UK leader to visit China in 2018 and Starmer wants to build economic ties with the country, including financial services.
“We will not be announcing the visit” On Tuesday, a British official said, adding that the government hoped embassy clearance would be “detached” from Starmer’s visit, which is expected to take place late next week.
This is a developing story
