The UK government has once again postponed its decision on approving a proposed Chinese "super embassy" in London till January.
On Tuesday, UK officials announced that the original decision deadline of Dec. 10 would be extended to Jan. 20, amid escalating security worries.
China's proposal for the new diplomatic compound on the site of the historic Royal Mint Court—dating back two centuries and located near the Tower of London—has been on hold for the last three years. Once built, it would become Europe's largest embassy, including accommodations for up to 200 personnel, offices, and an expansive underground facility.
The location's proximity to fiber optic lines transporting huge volumes of confidential data to London's financial district has fueled espionage concerns. It also received ongoing objections from local residents, politicians, and democracy advocates.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesperson said the delay was because the Home Office and Foreign Office had "provided views on particular security implications, and have been clear throughout that a decision shouldn't be taken until we affirm that those considerations have been completed or resolved."
China has agreed that all its diplomatic premises in London, excluding the ambassador's house, will be consolidated into the new embassy. This convinced the UK government that national security concerns had been addressed.
"Should the planning decision for a new embassy be approved, the new embassy would replace seven different sites which currently comprises China's diplomatic footprint in London, which clearly brings security advantages," the spokesperson said.
China on Wednesday blasted the UK's repeated delay as "completely unjustified and untenable," with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian expressing "strong dissatisfaction."
The UK government has been sending mixed signals regarding approval of the embassy and its definition of Sino-UK relations.
On Monday, Keir Starmer warned that communist China poses “national security threats” to Britain during a speech to business leaders in London.
Yet in September, the case against two men accused of spying for Beijing collapsed after the government declined to publicly classify China as a “threat.”
Starmer has also insisted that the UK should maintain trade ties with China, arguing that it is in the country’s national interest. "Recognise the plain fact that you can work and trade with a country while still protecting yourself," he said on Monday.
Starmer is preparing to visit China next year, following trips by at least four cabinet ministers since Labour came to power in 2024. The last British prime minister to visit China was Theresa May in 2018.
This is the third time the UK has postponed a decision on the proposed Chinese embassy.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed, who assumed office in September, previously delayed the ruling from October, citing insufficient time to review the details.
Earlier this year, his predecessor Angela Rayner also deferred the decision, shortly after China resubmitted its planning application—just two weeks after Labour’s general election victory in 2024.
The project was initially rejected in 2022 by Tower Hamlets Council. After Labour came to power, Prime Minister Keir Starmer “called in” the application for central government review, reportedly following a direct phone call from Chinese leader Xi Jinping.