London [UK], January 7 (ANI): Rights groups led by Free Tibet, along with several allied organizations, have renewed their campaign against China’s proposed mega embassy at Royal Mint Court in London, warning that the project poses serious national security threats and heightens risks for already vulnerable exile communities. The UK government is expected to announce its decision on January 20.
Campaigners argue that the plan goes far beyond normal diplomatic activity. If approved, the Royal Mint Court complex would reportedly become China’s largest embassy in Europe, covering nearly 20,000 square meters—almost ten times the size of a typical mission. Activists say the scale and strategic location of the facility raise concerns about espionage potential and covert intelligence operations.
In an open letter to Housing Secretary Steve Reed, UK-based Tibetans and Tibet support groups urged the government to reject the plan outright. The letter notes that the embassy would sit near vital communication networks, including undersea cables that underpin UK infrastructure, and references MI5 assessments suggesting the site could pose a substantial national security risk.
The concerns follow a series of recent disclosures about Chinese intelligence activities in the UK. Investigators have uncovered attempts by individuals linked to Beijing to recruit people with Westminster ties by offering financial incentives in exchange for sensitive information.
Tibetan, Uyghur, Hong Kong, and Chinese dissident groups argue that evaluations of the embassy proposal must consider China’s long-standing record of transnational repression. They cite cases of harassment, intimidation, and violence against activists abroad, including the widely publicized 2022 incident in Manchester, when a Hong Kong protester was pulled into the Chinese consulate and assaulted by officials.
China purchased the Royal Mint Court property in 2018. Tower Hamlets Council rejected the embassy plan in 2022 over safety and security concerns, but China resubmitted the proposal in August 2024, prompting the UK government to take charge of the decision. Activist groups have organized frequent demonstrations, describing the proposed complex as a strategic hub rather than a diplomatic office, and plan larger rallies ahead of the January 20 ruling.
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