China says the UK has a duty to approve its new embassy project in london

Wednesday 21 January 2026 - 10:00

By: Sahili Aya

China says the UK has a duty to approve its new embassy project in london

China stated on Wednesday that the United Kingdom has a legal and diplomatic obligation to approve the construction of a new Chinese embassy in London, following the British government’s recent authorization of the long-delayed project.

Speaking at a regular press briefing, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that, under international law, host countries are required to support and facilitate the establishment of diplomatic missions on their territory. According to Beijing, the embassy project fully complies with international diplomatic practices as well as local laws and administrative procedures.

China has sought for several years to relocate its embassy from its current site in the Marylebone district to a larger property near the Tower of London and the City’s financial center. The site was purchased in 2018 and is intended to host what would become China’s largest embassy in western Europe.

The project has generated controversy in the United Kingdom. Critics, including human rights activists, local residents, and some lawmakers, have raised concerns about potential security and surveillance risks associated with the size and location of the future diplomatic complex.

Despite these objections, the approval is seen as part of London’s broader effort to stabilize relations with Beijing. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed a willingness to reengage with China since taking office, while simultaneously describing the country as a strategic security challenge for the United Kingdom.