Alex Brookes: Large scale opposition to Chinese ‘Super’ Embassy next to the Tower of London

Alex Brookes is a Conservative Spokesman for St Katharine’s & Wapping. He is a British Army Reservist and Co-Founder of Conservative Friends of Overseas Territories.

A second demonstration against the Chinese ‘super’ Embassy took place outside the Royal Mint Court in mid-March. Campaign organisations included Uyghurs, Tibetans, Honk Hong residents and Chinese dissidents who united again to reject the idea, due to China’s violations of human rights.

The site of the Britain’s Royal Mint, where coins were struck from 1810 to 1975, sits atop the ruins of a Cistercian abbey dating to the 14th century. From the 16th century to the early 18th century, it was a supply yard for the Royal Navy.

The Royal Mint Court is on the brink of a new chapter and if the Labour Government approves the project, it will be China’s largest Embassy in Europe, next to the Tower of London and the skyscrapers of London’s City. The final say on the plans rests with Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who is expected to make a decision in May, but what’s clear is that if the Government approves the Chinese ‘super’ embassy, it would with no doubt be against the UK’s interest.

Tower Hamlets Conservative Group have released new research on the proposal and the results are telling, with 43 per cent of UK residents opposing the plans, with only 13 per cent supporting the application. For Conservative voters this rises 60 per cent, with only a small minority of ten per cent supporting plans for the Chinese ‘super’ Embassy. Labour votes are less opposed but would still like the Government to reject the plans.

The poll of 2,000 UK adults asked:

“The Chinese government plans to build the largest embassy in Europe, opposite the Tower of London. The application was rejected twice by the council in 2022 and 2024, and identical plans were resubmitted last July”.

“Some oppose the project over security risk, privacy and safety concerns. Others cite the project as an opportunity to develop a stronger economic relationship with China. To what extent do you support or oppose this application?”

As the Government seeks to forge closer trade links with Beijing, with David Lammy personally intervening to support the application. A letter obtained under the Freedom of Information laws shows that David Lammy said that ministers must be ‘very selected’ about overruling councils that it could ‘only take place if planning issues of more than local importance are involved”.

The decision highlights the balancing act between economic and diplomatic ties with China and safeguarding national interests and public safety. Enhanced trade with China may be valuable, but the Government must acknowledge what it actually costs us. The research clearly shows that Briton’s, Londoners and Tower Hamlets residents oppose the plans due to the potential security, privacy and safety implications. Therefore, it is vital that the Government recognises the evidence against the proposal and puts Britain’s interests first.

There have been a number of applications for the Royal Mint Court building, including a mix of housing and offices. This would provide direct benefits to the local community, which not only address the housing shortage, but provides a solution focused on urban densification. To be clear, Angela Rayner should reject the Chinese Embassy plans and open the proposal up to deliver economic priorities like expanded housing supply.