The UK government has pledged to assess potential security risks surrounding the proposed construction of a Chinese embassy near London, amid growing pressure from Washington and renewed diplomatic activity from Beijing.
According to a Sunday Times report, former US President Donald Trump has personally warned Prime Minister Keir Starmer against allowing China to build what has been described as a “mega-embassy” close to the City of London, a key financial and telecommunications centre. The plan, which had stalled in previous years, was reportedly revived following lobbying by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Concerns have emerged that the embassy’s location could give China proximity to critical communications infrastructure, sparking fears of potential espionage. The matter has even surfaced in ongoing UK-US trade negotiations, where American officials are pressing the UK to take a tougher stance on Chinese investments and influence.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, when questioned by Sky News, said the government will provide a “fulsome response” to any legitimate security concerns, adding: “These are issues we regularly engage on at a high level between our two countries… We handle sensitive embassy developments and security protocols all the time.”
The UK is hoping to secure a post-Brexit trade deal with the United States within the next two weeks. However, progress partly depends on how the UK navigates its relationship with China. The US has reportedly set a July 9 deadline for the UK to resolve issues surrounding a British steel plant owned by a Chinese firm—another flashpoint in transatlantic talks.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp also weighed in on the embassy issue, warning that China may use the site for surveillance activities. “This is not just a diplomatic building—it’s potentially a strategic foothold,” he told Sky News. The Chinese embassy has dismissed such claims in the past, denying any intention to conduct intelligence operations from the location.
As the UK attempts to balance diplomacy, trade, and national security, the fate of the Chinese embassy near London may play a pivotal role in shaping future ties with both Washington and Beijing.
