City Leaders Raise Security Concerns Over Proposed Chinese Embassy

Senior officials within the City of London Corporation have expressed significant concerns regarding China’s plans to establish a new super-embassy on the outskirts of the Square Mile. These apprehensions focus on potential security risks associated with sensitive infrastructure beneath the proposed site.

The embassy, intended for the Royal Mint Court, has raised alarms due to its proximity to critical fibre-optic cables. Professor Sophia Economides, head of engineering at Northeastern University London, noted that while she could not definitively label the site as unsafe, its location does “raise legitimate technical concerns.” She emphasized that the infrastructure beneath the site makes it “very easy to tap into those cables,” potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive information without detection.

The planning application for the embassy was initially submitted to Tower Hamlets, the neighbouring council to the City of London. Although the City Corporation is not directly involved in the application process, one senior member voiced strong concerns about the site’s implications for financial security, stating, “the cable issue is a concern and it does ring alarm bells that they’re pushing very hard for this particular site.”

Another elected official echoed these sentiments, acknowledging the beneficial trade relations between the UK and China yet expressing “major concerns” about the embassy’s potential to become a “spy stronghold.” The official suggested that the location could “invite mischief,” given its closeness to vital data cables.

A source within the Corporation articulated a broader apprehension regarding the Chinese government’s activities, stating, “I’m nervous about the threat from the Chinese in general.” They added that while some view the necessity of conducting business with China, there is a prevailing desire for greater caution.

The City’s concerns coincide with a letter from senior Conservative MPs Alicia Kearns and Tom Tugendhat, who have claimed to be targets of Chinese espionage. They urged the UK government to block the embassy application and elevate China’s status in the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme, placing it on equal footing with countries like Russia and Iran. The MPs criticized the government’s previous inaction regarding espionage prosecutions, stating, “Failing to prosecute two men charged with spying for China demonstrates worrying levels of complacency.”

In response to the rising tensions, the UK government has postponed its decision on the embassy application until December 10, 2023. This delay has prompted a strong reaction from Chinese authorities, who have warned of “consequences” should the application be denied.

A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in the UK defended the project, stating that the site was purchased in 2018 with the UK government’s consent. They insisted that the development plan adheres to local regulations and has received positive recognition from professional bodies. The spokesperson dismissed the security concerns as “completely groundless and malicious slander,” asserting that the claims are not credible.

As the situation develops, the City of London Corporation has opted not to comment publicly on the matter, leaving many questions regarding the implications of the proposed embassy unanswered. The intersection of diplomacy and security in this case underscores the delicate balance that authorities must navigate in an increasingly complex international landscape.