Labour MPs urge the Prime Minister to block Chinese super embassy plans
Labour MPs have called on the Prime Minister to halt plans for a Chinese super embassy in London amid concerns it could become a hub for espionage. The plans involve a substantial underground facility beside sensitive data cables, reports BritPanorama.
The proposed site, located beneath the former Royal Mint, would serve as the largest Chinese diplomatic mission in Europe, comprising 208 rooms. Critics, including various MPs, have expressed apprehensions that this project poses risks of espionage and intimidation, underscored by the design of a chamber that spans up to 40 metres adjacent to crucial financial data lines between the City of London and Canary Wharf.
Labour MP Sarah Champion characterized China as a hostile state, urging the Prime Minister to “stand up to bullies, not reward them.” Additional concerns were raised by Alex Sobel, representing Leeds Central and Headingley, who stated that the embassy could endanger Hong Kongers, Uighurs, and other members of the Chinese diaspora who oppose the Chinese government.
Mark Sedwards, MP for Leeds South West and Morley, highlighted a specific case involving a constituent who has been targeted with a significant bounty by the Chinese government. He conveyed her daily fears regarding potential retribution, remarking, “She walks around every day knowing that anyone here could claim that bounty by taking her to the Chinese embassy and handing her over to the authorities.” Sedwards added that she worries about being detained in one of the alleged secret rooms outlined in the embassy plans.
Despite the backlash, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is anticipated to approve the embassy scheme ahead of a planned visit to China for discussions with Xi Jinping. In response to the MPs’ concerns, Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook assured them that all material planning considerations would be taken into account in the final decision, which is expected later this month.
The discourse surrounding the embassy highlights the increasing scrutiny regarding China’s influence within the UK and the implications for national security. As debates continue within Parliament, the government’s decision will likely reflect broader concerns about diplomatic relations and the protection of vulnerable populations.
In navigating the complexities of international diplomacy, the UK faces critical questions about balancing engagement with authoritarian regimes against the safeguarding of its citizens and those under threat from foreign powers.
