Sir Keir Starmer is set to approve the controversial Chinese embassy in central London despite concerns of spying in the UK.
It has been reported the Prime Minister has been given approval by MI5, the Security Service and MI6, the Secret Intelligence Service, sources told The Times.
The Times also reported that sources from the Foreign Office and the Home Office will not raise any objections for the Chinese super embassy.
The deadline for the official decision by the government has now been extended until 10 December 2025, they will set out their responses in the coming days.
Starmer is planning to jet off for another jolly to China in January or February 2026 as will attempt to strengthen economic and diplomatic relations, but this is subject to the embassy planning being approved, sources told The Guardian.
The Times reported last night that there will not be any formal objections as long as “mitigations” are in place to protect the UK’s national security.
Earlier this year the US raised concerns over China’s ambitious plan to build a huge embassy in London, adding that this would lead to increased espionage.
A US House of Representatives committee said the project is shrouded with “significant security concerns” for the UK financial services industry.
“The People’s Republic of China mega-embassy in the UK raises significant security concerns: from interference and surveillance to risks for sensitive infrastructure like London’s financial services,” the House China committee wrote on X.
“We must work to urgently address this issue and work with our allies to protect national security,” added the committee, which is chaired by John Moolenaar, a Republican congressman from Michigan.
China has drawn up a big plan to build its largest diplomatic complex in Europe near the Tower of London which would replace its embassy in Marylebone in central London.
Despite the Security Service giving their approval for the Chinese super embassy, MI5 has sounded the alarm over Chinese espionage over the past few years and the Tower Hamlets local authority, which has jurisdiction over the historic Royal Mint Court site, last year rejected to approve the project citing security grounds.
The Metropolitan Police has also previously come out against the proposed plans, saying that anti-China protests would affect traffic but later withdrew its objections.
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