Crowd protests against China's 'mega-embassy' in London
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Brits are protesting against the size of China's embassy in London as it plans to build an embassy larger than its current one.
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A Chinese national flag is raised at the Chinese embassy in London, on Monday, September 11, 2023. (AP)
London witnessed a relatively small demonstration on Saturday as some 1,000 protesters gathered outside the proposed site of a new Chinese "mega-embassy" near the Tower of London. The rally, attended by politicians and activists, voiced concerns that the diplomatic compound could be used for illegal actions, such as "monitoring" and "suppressing" dissenters residing in the United Kingdom.
The site in question, Royal Mint Court, was formerly the headquarters of the UK’s coin maker and was purchased by China with plans to convert it into its largest embassy in Europe, spanning two hectares (five acres). However, in 2022, Tower Hamlets council rejected the planning application, citing concerns over potential large-scale protests and security risks. The Conservative government at the time chose not to intervene.
Following the Labour Party’s rise to power, Beijing resubmitted the application. Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly raised the matter directly with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, prompting the government to call in the decision. Cabinet ministers Yvette Cooper and David Lammy have expressed support for the project, and a local inquiry hearing is set to begin next week. The final decision rests with Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner.
Tensions escalated midway through the protest when police officers detained a woman and led her to a police van, sparking outrage among demonstrators. A large group, many dressed in black, attempted to block the van while demanding she be released.
Several high-profile politicians joined the protesters, including Conservative MPs Iain Duncan Smith and Tom Tugendhat, as well as Labour MP Blair McDougall. Tugendhat, the former security minister, warned that approving the embassy would be a “grave mistake.”
Calls to bolster cooperation
At the Munich Security Conference in February of last year, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi informed British Foreign Secretary David Cameron that China and Britain should "strengthen exchanges and cooperation."
Xinhua News Agency announced that Wang told his counterpart at the conference that both countries should "enhance strategic communication and play their due roles in promoting security and maintaining peace."
He also warned that "resurfacing Cold War mentality, rampant protectionism, and sluggish economic recovery" are some of the challenges the world is currently facing further, urging China and Britain to "strengthen exchanges and cooperation... and bring bilateral relations back to the right track of sound and steady development".
It is noteworthy that China and the UK had been in disagreement over accusations of espionage. One incident took place last month when the Chinese Foreign Ministry revealed that it sentenced a British national to jail for spying, not to mention criticism leveled against the UK for supporting anti-PRC protesters in Hong Kong.
