\n<\/p>\n
LONDON (AP) \u2014 Britain\u2019s government is expected to approve a \u201cmega\u201d Chinese embassy<\/a> close to London\u2019s financial district after years of controversy and political wrangling over the potential security risks it poses to the U.K.<\/p>\n Lawmakers from across the spectrum have urged planning officials to reject China\u2019s application for the new embassy. Critics fear the proposed new building, on a huge site close to London\u2019s financial district and crucial data cables, will be used as a base for espionage. Others say the supersized embassy \u2014 set to be the biggest in Europe \u2014 will pose a heightened threat of surveillance and intimidation to Chinese dissidents in exile. <\/a><\/p>\n The decision was initially slated for October, but it was repeatedly postponed after multiple allegations of Chinese spying and political interference piled pressure on the British government.<\/p>\n British media have reported that the decision to approve the embassy will come this week, ahead of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s expected trip to China. The closely watched visit would be the first made by a British prime minister since 2018.<\/p>\n A final decision on the embassy is expected by Jan. 20, the deadline set by the government.<\/p>\n Here’s a look at why the embassy has been the focus of protests and Sino-British tensions for years:<\/p>\n Close to sensitive infrastructure, potential for protests<\/p>\n The proposed embassy at Royal Mint Court \u2014 the former site of the U.K.\u2019s coin maker, near the Tower of London \u2014 will replace several Chinese official buildings across London<\/p>\n Critics say the new site sits too close to underground fiber optic cables carrying sensitive financial information between London\u2019s two main financial districts.<\/p>\n Conservative Party lawmaker Alicia Kearns said that risks handing over access to data that would give China\u2019s government \u201ca launchpad for economic warfare against our nation.\u201d<\/p>\n Dissidents have also been among hundreds of people who have protested the plans, saying a mega-embassy housing large numbers of officials would further China\u2019s repression of activists abroad.<\/p>\n A group of opposition Labour lawmakers say concerns include \u201cthe recent track record of Chinese espionage cases, interference activities and issuing of bounties against U.K.-based Hong Kongers.\u201d<\/p>\n The site was bought by China\u2019s government for 225 million pounds ($301 million) in 2018, but plans for the embassy have been delayed since.<\/p>\n Local officials rejected the initial application over concerns that the embassy would attract many large protests, affecting the safety of residents and tourists. China resubmitted its proposals after the current Labour government took power last year.<\/p>\n China\u2019s warnings<\/p>\n China has complained<\/a> about the seven-year delay in approving the project, saying the U.K. was \u201cconstantly complicating and politicizing the matter.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe development scheme of the new Chinese Embassy is of high quality and has been highly recognized by local professional bodies,\u201d the Chinese embassy said in a statement in October. \u201cThe application complies with diplomatic practice and local regulations and procedures.\u201d<\/p>\n Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian has warned that if the embassy isn\u2019t approved, \u201cthe consequences arising therefrom shall be borne by the U.K. side.\u201d<\/p>\n Growing spying concerns<\/p>\n Recent high-profile cases involving alleged Chinese espionage have raised alarms about the embassy.<\/p>\n In November, the domestic intelligence agency, MI5, issued an alert to lawmakers<\/a> warning that Chinese agents were making \u201ctargeted and widespread\u201d efforts to recruit and cultivate them using LinkedIn or cover companies.<\/p>\n Authorities believe the alleged \u201cheadhunters\u201d were trying to gain access to sensitive information about Parliament and Britain\u2019s government.<\/p>\n Beijing has strongly denied the claims, calling them \u201cpure fabrication and malicious slander.\u201d<\/p>\n Earlier, Britain\u2019s government faced questions on whether it had interfered in the trial of two alleged Chinese spies in order to preserve good ties with China.<\/p>\n Former parliamentary researcher Christopher Cash and academic Christopher Berry were charged last year with spying<\/a> for Beijing. But their trial collapsed<\/a> at the last minute because the U.K. government refused to brand China a threat to national security, the country\u2019s chief prosecutor said.<\/p>\n Starmer has insisted on engagement<\/p>\n Facing criticism that he is not taking a tough enough stance on the security risks, Starmer has stressed that while protecting national security is non-negotiable, Britain needs to keep up diplomatic dialogue and cooperation with the Asian superpower.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is not a question of balancing economic and security considerations. We don\u2019t trade off security in one area, for a bit more economic access somewhere else,\u201d he has said.<\/p>\n Last year, Starmer said Chinese President Xi Jinping personally raised the matter during a phone call.<\/p>\n Opposition lawmaker Priti Patel derided Starmer as \u201cBeijing\u2019s useful idiot in Britain.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStarmer\u2019s \u2018reset\u2019 with Beijing is a naive one-way street, which puts Britain at risk while Beijing gets everything it wants,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n