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UK gives China two weeks to explain blanked-out embassy plans UK gives China two weeks to explain blanked-out embassy plans
(about 2 hours later)
The application to convert the Royal Mint site has sparked protests Watch: See where China plans to put its controversial mega-embassy
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has given China two weeks to explain why parts of its plans for a new mega-embassy in London have been blanked out.Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has given China two weeks to explain why parts of its plans for a new mega-embassy in London have been blanked out.
Beijing's plans for the sprawling new embassy have sparked fears its location - near London's financial district - could pose an espionage risk.Beijing's plans for the sprawling new embassy have sparked fears its location - near London's financial district - could pose an espionage risk.
Several rooms on planning documents submitted to Tower Hamlets council, including the basement area, have been marked "redacted for security reasons".Several rooms on planning documents submitted to Tower Hamlets council, including the basement area, have been marked "redacted for security reasons".
Rayner, who is set to decide on the fate of the project early next month, has requested a response from Beijing by 20 August. The BBC has contacted the Chinese embassy in London for comment.Rayner, who is set to decide on the fate of the project early next month, has requested a response from Beijing by 20 August. The BBC has contacted the Chinese embassy in London for comment.
China bought the site of the proposed new embassy, at old Royal Mint Court near the Tower of London, for £255m in 2018. At 20,000 square metres, The complex would be the biggest embassy in Europe if it goes ahead.China bought the site of the proposed new embassy, at old Royal Mint Court near the Tower of London, for £255m in 2018. At 20,000 square metres, The complex would be the biggest embassy in Europe if it goes ahead.
There are concerns, held by some opponents, that the Royal Mint Court site could allow China to infiltrate the UK's financial system by tapping into nearby fibre optic cables carrying sensitive data for firms in the City of London.There are concerns, held by some opponents, that the Royal Mint Court site could allow China to infiltrate the UK's financial system by tapping into nearby fibre optic cables carrying sensitive data for firms in the City of London.
Pro-democracy campaigners from Hong Kong also fear Beijing could use the huge embassy to harass political opponents and even detain them.Pro-democracy campaigners from Hong Kong also fear Beijing could use the huge embassy to harass political opponents and even detain them.
And residents nearby also fear it would pose a security risk to them and attract large protests.And residents nearby also fear it would pose a security risk to them and attract large protests.
China's application to turn the site into a new embassy has previously been rejected by Tower Hamlets, the local council, but Rayner is now due to make the final decision by 9 September after taking control of the process last year.China's application to turn the site into a new embassy has previously been rejected by Tower Hamlets, the local council, but Rayner is now due to make the final decision by 9 September after taking control of the process last year.
The proposed complex would include offices, a large basement area, housing for 200 staff, and a new tunnel to connect the Embassy House to a separate building on the embassy grounds.The proposed complex would include offices, a large basement area, housing for 200 staff, and a new tunnel to connect the Embassy House to a separate building on the embassy grounds.
In a letter to planning consultants handling the application, Rayner said the reference to redactions appeared to relate to internal parts of two of the buildings that had been "greyed out".In a letter to planning consultants handling the application, Rayner said the reference to redactions appeared to relate to internal parts of two of the buildings that had been "greyed out".
However, she added that in some cases, corresponding documents submitted to the planning inquiry appeared to show some of the blanked-out information.However, she added that in some cases, corresponding documents submitted to the planning inquiry appeared to show some of the blanked-out information.
Rayner, who as housing secretary oversees planning matters, asked the Chinese embassy to "precisely and comprehensively" identify which documents had been redacted, and explain why.Rayner, who as housing secretary oversees planning matters, asked the Chinese embassy to "precisely and comprehensively" identify which documents had been redacted, and explain why.
She added that consideration of the application was "at an early stage, and no view has yet been formed".She added that consideration of the application was "at an early stage, and no view has yet been formed".
The Home Office and the Foreign Office also received copies of the letter.The Home Office and the Foreign Office also received copies of the letter.
It notes that the Home Office requested a new "hard perimeter" be placed around the embassy site, to prevent "unregulated public access", and says this could require a further planning application.It notes that the Home Office requested a new "hard perimeter" be placed around the embassy site, to prevent "unregulated public access", and says this could require a further planning application.
Beijing's application for the embassy was initially rejected by Tower Hamlets Council in 2022 over safety and security concerns.Beijing's application for the embassy was initially rejected by Tower Hamlets Council in 2022 over safety and security concerns.
It resubmitted an identical application in August 2024, one month after Labour came to power.It resubmitted an identical application in August 2024, one month after Labour came to power.
On 23 August, Sir Keir Starmer phoned Chinese President Xi Jinping for their first talks. Sir Keir confirmed afterwards that Xi had raised the embassy issue.On 23 August, Sir Keir Starmer phoned Chinese President Xi Jinping for their first talks. Sir Keir confirmed afterwards that Xi had raised the embassy issue.
Rayner has since exercised her power to take the matter out of the council's hands, amid attempts by the government to engage with China after a cooling of relations during the final years of Conservative Party rule.Rayner has since exercised her power to take the matter out of the council's hands, amid attempts by the government to engage with China after a cooling of relations during the final years of Conservative Party rule.
Senior ministers have signalled they are in favour if minor adjustments are made to the plan.Senior ministers have signalled they are in favour if minor adjustments are made to the plan.
Conservative shadow national security minister Alicia Kearns accused the Labour government of a "rush to appease Xi Jinping's demands" that "demonstrated a complacency when it came to keeping our people safe".Conservative shadow national security minister Alicia Kearns accused the Labour government of a "rush to appease Xi Jinping's demands" that "demonstrated a complacency when it came to keeping our people safe".
The Liberal Democrats urged Rayner to "take the bull by the horns and finally block China's application".The Liberal Democrats urged Rayner to "take the bull by the horns and finally block China's application".
"It is staggering that only now, at the eleventh hour, the government is finally asking fundamental questions about what Beijing is planning," added Luke Taylor, the party's spokesperson for London."It is staggering that only now, at the eleventh hour, the government is finally asking fundamental questions about what Beijing is planning," added Luke Taylor, the party's spokesperson for London.
Responding to security concerns earlier this week, the Chinese embassy told the BBC it was "committed to promoting understanding and the friendship between the Chinese and British peoples and the development of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.Responding to security concerns earlier this week, the Chinese embassy told the BBC it was "committed to promoting understanding and the friendship between the Chinese and British peoples and the development of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.
"Building the new embassy would help us better perform such responsibilities"."Building the new embassy would help us better perform such responsibilities".
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