China resubmits plans for new large London embassy

China has resubmitted plans for a new large embassy in London, a project that may challenge the new Labour government’s approach to relations with the world’s second largest economy following years of diplomatic tensions and disputes.

The application was submitted to Tower Hamlets council last month, just weeks after the Labour Party assumed power. The Chinese government argued in the application that the council’s previous rejection based on security concerns and resident impact lacked merit and planning policy grounds.

China missed a deadline last year to appeal against a decision due to tensions with the then-Conservative Party-led government over suspicions of Chinese cyber-espionage and human rights.

China announced plans to build a new London embassy in 2018, purchasing land on the former site of the Royal Mint for about 250 million pounds ($318 million). The embassy would be China’s largest diplomatic legation in Europe, nearly double the size of its Washington embassy.

Some British politicians and security officials have raised concerns that a larger embassy and more Chinese diplomats could facilitate an increase in spies in the country.

Attribution: Reuters

Subediting: Y.Yasser