US raises security concerns over China's planned London embassy

Indian Express

4 hours ago

The United States has voiced concern over China's plan to build a new embassy in London, saying it could give Beijing access to sensitive communications near one of Britain's key financial centres. The comments, reported by The Guardian, have stirred uncertainty over whether the embassy project will go ahead.
The site in question, Royal Mint Court, lies close to the City of London and Canary Wharf areas connected by underground data cables. Security officials fear the location could pose a risk, and the UK government is now reviewing the plan. Campaigners who have opposed the embassy for years say the issue has become more political since Washington got involved.
'They seem to be struggling to make the right decision,' Dave Lake, a local resident and head of the campaign against the embassy, told The Guardian. 'It was a straightforward inquiry but because of this, that and the other, particularly the Americans getting involved, it's made it all up in the air.'
The UK government rejected planning permission for the embassy two years ago due to security concerns. But it has since taken over the decision from local authorities and is expected to make a final call by September 9.
China bought the 2-hectare site in 2018 for £255 million. Demonstrations against the plan have continued, with fears that a Chinese embassy in the area would increase surveillance and draw further protests.
Lake added: 'We know there are cables running underground, and we know the capabilities of the Chinese. In the early conversations, it was just about our security.'
Former British diplomat Charles Parton, who advised Parliament's foreign affairs committee, said the matter depends on what kind of data passes through those cables. Speaking to The Guardian, he said: 'There are two ways to look at it. One is to say you can't use the site; the other is to say reroute the cables. How difficult is it to reroute them? I don't know.'
Parton said embassy upgrades are normal in diplomacy, but added that 'if the security issue is resolved satisfactorily, then why shouldn't both countries go ahead and build new embassies?'
The White House raised its concerns shortly after the US and UK signed a trade deal during the G7 summit in Canada this week. A US official told The Sunday Times, as quoted by The Guardian, 'The United States is deeply concerned about providing China with potential access to the sensitive communications of one of our closest allies.'
The Dutch parliament has also flagged worries over the site's location. Uyghur activist Rahima Mahmut, who lives in the UK, told The Guardian, 'It is really unbelievable when not only the US government but also the Dutch government express their concerns.'
Simon Cheng, a former Hong Kong consulate worker now in the UK, said the site could increase surveillance risks for people in exile. 'The UK government needs to think twice,' Cheng said. 'It's not only the closest ally that has given a warning but also others. We have concerns about our security here.'
The Chinese embassy defended its proposal, saying it had followed UK rules and listened to all stakeholders. A spokesperson told The Guardian the embassy would help China carry out its diplomatic duties and deepen cooperation.
The spokesperson added, 'Anti-China forces are using security risks as an excuse to interfere with the British government's decision. This is a despicable move that is unpopular and will not succeed.'