London council rejects China’s “super-embassy” over security and policing concerns

A London local council has once again rejected a proposal for China’s new “super-embassy”, citing concerns about its potential impact on “resident safety and policing”. However, campaigners expressed concern that the British government could reverse the decision in the coming year.

China has resubmitted its application to build a major new facility in London, despite it being rejected in 2022 after a strong campaign by rights groups. Campaigners warned that the embassy would enable spying and the “long arm” of law enforcement, Radio Free Asia reported.

Tower Hamlets Borough Council rejected for the second time on Monday an application to redevelop a large complex of historic buildings, located just 5 kilometers (3 miles) from Westminster and home to the Royal Mint before its acquisition by the Chinese government six years ago. Was owned. ,

A council spokesperson said, “The committee discussed a number of concerns raised by objectors, ward members and committee members. Given the already congested nature of the area, it was decided to refuse the application due to concerns about the impact on resident and tourist safety, heritage, police resources and highway safety.

According to the report, at Monday’s meeting, London’s Metropolitan Police cautioned that establishing the Chinese embassy at that location would have a significant impact on policing and public safety.

In a letter written on 14 November and posted on the Tower Hamlets planning application website, John Sewell, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Special Operations, said: “Officers are being deployed to manage spontaneous and planned protests for the policing of the proposed embassy. “Will need to be reassigned from duties.” this site.”

he/she also warned that “protesters will take to the streets, blocking roads, making it difficult to ensure their safety without closing roads, increasing disruption to the community and businesses.”

Foreign rights groups concerned about increased Chinese infiltration and spying targeting Tibetans, Uighurs, Hong Kongers and pro-democracy activists in Britain have urged the British government to reject the proposal.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy described the plan as “a high-quality development plan” and said the decision was “extremely disappointing”.

In a statement on the embassy’s official website, the spokesperson said, “Host countries have an international duty to support and facilitate the construction of diplomatic mission premises. We hope that the UK will take up this responsibility.

Britain’s Hong Kong director Jason Chao also addressed the meeting, warning that China often uses advanced surveillance technologies such as facial recognition to monitor critics of the Chinese Communist Party, Radio Free Asia reported.

They expressed concern that, given China’s history of human rights abuses, aggressive surveillance, and repression of dissidents abroad, the proposed new Chinese embassy could pose a threat to the privacy and safety of nearby residents and workers.

In a subsequent interview with RFA Cantonese, Chao revealed that local residents were discouraged from attending an exhibition about the planned embassy because of strict security measures, including recording visitors’ ID or passport numbers. “People were concerned about safety and felt uncomfortable with information being collected before they were allowed to attend the exhibition,” he/she said.

The UK Government is set to hold a local scrutiny hearing on February 11, 2025, where councilors will present their objections to the proposal. However, Chao said their ability to influence the outcome may be limited. “It is clear that future decisions will, at least partly, be influenced by politics,” he/she said, adding that local residents now fear the government may push ahead with the plan despite their objections.