UK intelligence services has warned against allowing China to build their new ‘super embassy’ next to critical communication cables. China has proposed to turn the former Royal Mint building in Tower Hamlets into Europe’s largest embassy. Although it has received support from cabinet ministers, the UK’s intelligence services, the Metropolitan Police and residents have all expressed their concerns.
![[China super embassy]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_236288436-c2ed.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
MI5 are reportedly worried about the building’s close proximity to major communication cables, leaving them susceptible to an attack. Meanwhile counterterror police said it’s creation was likely to attract protests and could take officers away from other frontline duties.
![[China super embassy]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_236288819-69d3.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
It was also feared surrounding heritage sites, including the Tower of London which is directly opposite the building, may come to potential harm. The new super embassy would be just four miles away from the US’s own ‘super embassy’ in Nine Elms, which they opened in 2018.
Tower Hamlets Council rejected the proposal in 2022, but cabinet ministers have waded in to push for China to be given the green light. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said she will be making the final decision in October after Beijing resubmitted their proposal without any major changed following Labour’s election win last year, the FT reports.
And in a joint letter to Tower Hamlet’s Planning Inspectorate, Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stressed the ‘importance of countries having functioning diplomatic premises in each other’s capitals’ and said the Met Police has withdrawn their objections.
