UK Approves Chinese Mega-Embassy Amidst Security and Geopolitical Concerns
Housing Secretary Steve Reed approved the Royal Mint Court development, despite its proximity to sensitive fibre optic cables near the City of London. The Housing Department’s decision letter stated that national security bodies, including the Home and Foreign Offices, raised no objections regarding cable interference. The government has taken steps to protect cable security, and the development offers national security advantages by consolidating China’s diplomatic sites. MI5 and GCHQ acknowledged potential risks but supported the project with national security mitigations, and the approval includes conditions for the project’s start and protest management.
John Q. Hosedrinker