City leaders warn about China embassy plans

Senior officials within the City of London Corporation have raised concerns over China’s controversial plans to establish a new super-embassy on the outskirts of the Square Mile. The proposed development has triggered alarms regarding potential threats to the security of sensitive cables running beneath the site.

Professor Sophia Economides, head of engineering at Northeastern University London, commented that while she could not definitively confirm the site’s insecurity, the location “raises legitimate technical concerns.” She noted the ease with which fibre-optic cables beneath the site could be tapped, posing a significant security risk.

The planning application was initially submitted to Tower Hamlets, a neighbouring council to the City of London. Although the City of London has not been directly involved in the process, a senior member of the City’s governing authority expressed significant concern about the site’s proximity to sensitive cables and critical financial infrastructure. They remarked, “The cable issue is a concern and it does ring alarm bells that they’re pushing very hard for this particular site,” questioning the motives behind the choice.

Another elected official noted that while financial and professional services trade with China is “mutually beneficial,” the embassy’s location presents “major concerns.” Describing it as a “possible spy-stronghold” that could “invite mischief,” the official highlighted the site’s proximity to sensitive data cables as a key issue.

A source within the Corporation expressed unease about the general threat posed by China, finding it “very odd” that the site is particularly desired. They acknowledged mixed feelings among colleagues, with some advocating caution in dealings with China.

The City’s apprehensions coincide with calls from senior Tory MPs Alicia Kearns and Tom Tugendhat, who have alleged espionage activities by China, urging the government to block the embassy application near the Tower of London. In a letter to Keir Starmer, they urged the government to categorise China alongside Russia and Iran in the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme, citing concerns over complacency in prosecuting alleged Chinese spies.

The UK government recently delayed its decision on the embassy’s planning application until 10 December, eliciting a strong response from Chinese authorities warning of “consequences” if permission is denied.

A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in the UK stated that the Royal Mint Court in London, purchased in 2018, is intended for the new embassy premises with UK government consent. They described the project as high-quality and compliant with local regulations, dismissing security risk claims as “groundless and malicious slander.”

The City of London Corporation declined to comment on the matter.