London rejects China’s embassy ambitions for security reasons

• Tower Hamlets Council rejects China’s plans for massive new embassy outside Tower of London.
• Decision comes amid mounting concerns about Beijing’s diplomatic activity in the UK.
• The application will now be forwarded to London’s mayor, who can “call in” or overturn the council’s decision.

In an unexpected move that comes amid mounting concerns about Beijing’s diplomatic activity in the United Kingdom, local councilors unanimously rejected China’s plans for a massive new embassy outside the Tower of London on the grounds that they represent a security danger to nearby people.

The London Borough of Tower Hamlets had indicated it was preparing to wave through the proposals drafted by the embassy’s architect, David Chipperfield, as recently as Wednesday, telling media then that the proposed initiative was “generally in accordance” with the area’s development plan and that “on this basis officers have recommended that planning permission and listed building consent are granted.”

Nevertheless, the council was persuaded to oppose the proposals at a marathon meeting that went late into the night on Thursday on the grounds that they posed a threat to locals’ safety and would impede traffic in this heavily populated area of east London, close to the capital’s financial district and a block from Tower Bridge.

According to a Tower Hamlets Council spokesperson, the committee decided to deny the proposal because of worries about how it will affect locals’ and visitors’ safety, the area’s history, police resources, and congestion. Before a final judgement is made, the application will now be forwarded to London’s mayor.

The decision of the council puts the British government in a challenging situation. It might use its authority to “call in” the plans and overturn the local council’s judgement, which may be politically divisive; alternatively, it could choose not to intervene and run the risk of upsetting Beijing.

With plans to build a massive diplomatic mission with space for hundreds of employees and a cultural exchange, China paid a property company roughly $312 million in 2018 for the historic tract of land known as Royal Mint Court. The building that produced Britain’s coins formerly called Royal Mint Court and was owned by the British monarchs.

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