Hundreds of demonstrators gathered on Saturday at the proposed site of Beijing's controversial new embassy in London, voicing concerns over human rights and security implications.
If approved by the UK government, the new embassy would become the largest Chinese diplomatic mission in Europe, according to one lawmaker.
Among the protesters was Iona Boswell, a 40-year-old social worker, who told AFP that there was "no need for a mega embassy here." She expressed fears that the facility could be used to facilitate the "harassment of dissidents."
For several years, China has sought to relocate its embassy from its current location in Marylebone, an affluent district of the British capital, to a sprawling historic site near the Tower of London. However, the proposal has faced significant opposition from local residents, human rights activists, and critics of the Chinese Communist Party.
Conservative Party lawmaker Tom Tugendhat, speaking at the protest, emphasized the broader implications of the embassy move. "This is about the future of our freedom, not just the location of a Chinese embassy in London," he said. Tugendhat warned that UK residents have "too often been threatened by Chinese state agents" and suggested that the embassy could lead to increased economic espionage and suppression of political opponents of Beijing in Britain.
The site in question has a long history, having housed the Royal Mint—the official producer of British currency—for nearly two centuries. Before that, it was home to a Cistercian abbey built in 1348. Currently, the site remains vacant. China purchased the property in 2018 for a reported $327 million.
Concerns over surveillance
The protest comes amid British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's push for greater engagement with Beijing, following a period of strained relations over issues such as China's crackdown on rights in Hong Kong. In November 2023, Starmer became the first UK prime minister since 2018 to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, holding discussions at the G20 summit in Brazil.
A national planning inspector is set to conduct a public inquiry into the embassy proposal, though the final decision rests with Communities Secretary Angela Rayner. Opponents worry that the Labour government’s focus on economic growth and stronger ties with China could overshadow national security and human rights concerns.
Western nations have repeatedly accused Beijing of engaging in espionage to acquire technological intelligence, as well as conducting cyber surveillance on its critics. In March 2024, the United States, Britain, and New Zealand accused China-backed hackers of orchestrating cyberattacks targeting lawmakers and key democratic institutions—allegations that Beijing has strongly denied. Photo by Philafrenzy, Wikimedia commons.