In 2018, China gained an important new foothold in London real estate, buying a well-placed historic parcel of land for around $312 million. And the venue – Royal Mint Court – couldn’t be more spectacular, and is just a stone’s throw from London’s iconic Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. If realized, it would be the largest embassy on the continent. As the construction of this new “super-embassy” proceeds, it’s local citizens who are growing louder with fears about security and even espionage tied to the project.
The Chinese government’s track record of using its overseas outposts to surveil citizens abroad has caused alarm bells to ring. Accusations have emerged claiming that these embassies and consulates serve as armed arms for repatriation, coercing expatriates to come back to China. The Chinese authorities have demonstrated this to great effect by placing bounties on the heads of Hong Kong residents now living in the UK. This measure has increased concerns among the community.
China’s plans to construct the embassy picked up steam last year. This new impetus came on the heels of Labour’s own return to power in the UK, leading to the application being resubmitted. The local Tower Hamlets council had blocked their proposal on security grounds in 2022. Now, they are taking a big-picture step to correct course on those fronts.
Residents’ Fears and Opposition
Watch out, Rocky Mounted residents have expressed their concerns about the impact of having a Chinese super-embassy in their community. A slew of largely unfounded fears exist among many needing to know that the presence of such a facility would not undermine their safety. Mark Nygate, a nearby local resident was worried about the potential for increased surveillance.
“So quite easily you could be taking a photo of something and they’re going to think you’re spying.” – Mark Nygate
Nygate discussed the impact of increasing Chinese ownership of land in the Richmond area. He explained that if Chinese officials identified a problem with one of the properties, they would expect to have the right to look deeper.
“Because they own our land, they are our landlords and therefore they have certain rights to get in (the properties). If they find something they’re not happy with, you can be damn sure they’re going to come and check us out.” – Mark Nygate
Barry, with other residents, stressed the cultural significance of the Royal Mint Court site. He said he was shocked at the suggestion they would hand it over to a foreign government in such tense geopolitical climate.
“The building is such a UK monument… it was the Royal Mint. So to give that to a foreign government, especially the Chinese with everything that’s happening with the Chinese at the moment, is a bit of a joke.” – Barry
Concerns Over Security and Local Impact
As debate over the embassy intensifies. At the same time, the UK’s Metropolitan Police have raised the alarm over potential mass protests surrounding the facility. The police fear that such actions would threaten traffic disruption. They fear this might bleed onto congested arterial highways, making these arteries the killers of bedtime storyreading drivable community building.
This sense of lost opportunities resonates strongly in Tower Hamlets. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it’s known as one of the most disadvantaged boroughs in the UK. While local activists contend that China’s investment brings increased oppression, they acknowledge that it generates economic progress. Responsible stakeholders say it risks undermining community safety and stability. Mark Lahiff commented on this juxtaposition:
“This borough, Tower Hamlets, is one of the most impoverished boroughs in the UK. For the People’s Republic of China to invest into this borough is a huge investment. That site in particular has been empty since 2008.” – Mark Lahiff
That contrast between touted economic gain and the concern for community safety is still the basis for growing opposition to plans for a super-embassy.
Political Developments and Upcoming Decisions
The clock to advance China’s embassy proposal is ticking down quickly. Angela Rayner, the UK’s deputy prime minister and new housing secretary. She is required to make a final determination on the still controversial plans by September 9. Beijing’s August 20 deadline is approaching quickly. Now they need to offer more explanation as to why the redacted information is still warranted in their embassy plans.
As local residents and local law enforcement continue to adjust to a developing situation, all involved are waiting for details on how these changes will play out. Many see China’s investment as an opportunity for economic development. Others are concerned that this heavy diplomatic footprint might increase the surveillance of communities and worsen local security conditions.
