Angela Rayner has demanded China explain why parts of its plans for a new super-embassy in London are redacted. The Deputy Prime Minister has given Beijing two weeks to clarify why areas of its sprawling embassy site plans are blacked out.
The Housing Secretary, who oversees planning matters, has raised concerns about the redacted sections in the Chinese embassy application. China hawks in Westminster fear the embassy site could be used to conduct surveillance from British soil.
Security concerns mount over embassy plans
Pro-democracy campaigners from Hong Kong, along with Uighurs and Tibetans, worry that intimidation and reprisals from the Chinese state could result from the embassy going ahead. This follows reports that bounties have been issued by China for dissident Hong Kongers now living in the UK.
In a letter seen by PA, Rayner's Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government asks planning consultants representing the Chinese embassy to explain the blacked-out drawings. The letter gives until 20 August for an explanation to be provided.
Planning decision deadline approaches
The letter suggests a final planning decision on the embassy site at Royal Mint Court, just east of London's financial district, will be made by 9 September. Copies were also sent to the Home Office and Foreign Office by email.
The Home Office has requested a new "hard perimeter" around the embassy site to prevent "unregulated public access". This could require a further planning application, the letter acknowledges.
Labour faces criticism over China approach
Plans for the super-embassy were previously rejected by Tower Hamlets Council in 2022, with the Chinese opting not to appeal. However, Beijing resubmitted the application a fortnight after Sir Keir Starmer's election victory last year, believing Labour may be more receptive.
Since entering office, Starmer's Government has sought closer links with Beijing after a cooling during the final years of Conservative Party rule. The final decision will be made by Rayner in her role as Housing Secretary.
Opposition warns of security risks
Alicia Kearns, the shadow national security minister, said: "No surprises here - Labour's rush to appease Xi Jinping's demands for a new embassy demonstrated a complacency when it came to keeping our people safe. Having deluded themselves for so long, they've recognised we were right to be vigilant."
She added: "The disturbing bounty notes urging British citizens to kidnap and deliver their Hong Kong neighbours to the current CCP embassy laid bare the risks - yet the Foreign Secretary didn't even summon the Chinese ambassador in the face of direct threats to those seeking refuge in our country. CCP ambitions for a larger embassy would only amplify opportunities for espionage and transnational repression."
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
