Chinese Embassy in UK responds to reports regarding resubmitting planning application for new embassy project

The UK government had given its consent to the Chinese government to purchase the Royal Mint Court in London for the use as the new Chinese embassy premises, and the embassy personnel are in the process of applying for planning permission, the Chinese Embassy in the UK responded on Thursday to media reports that China has resubmitted its planning application for the new embassy project to the Tower Hamlets Council. 

Some British media outlets reported on Saturday that China has revived plans to build a "super embassy" just miles from Westminster in London, and called it "an early test of the new government's approach to China." 

In response to media reports, a spokesperson from the Chinese Embassy in the UK said on Thursday that the Chinese government purchased the Royal Mint Court in London six years ago for use as the new Chinese embassy premises. The UK government had given its consent to this. Now the Embassy is in the process of applying for planning permission, said the spokesperson. 

According to media reports, the new embassy will be built on the former Royal Mint Court site near the Tower of London, covering a total area of about 576,000 square meters. 

The Chinese government reportedly bought the land for roughly $327 million in 2018 but had an initial proposal rejected in 2022 by the Tower Hamlets Council citing safety and security concerns. The proposal was then set aside after China failed to appeal in time, according to media reports.

On Thursday, the Chinese Embassy spokesperson said that the resubmitted planning application has taken into full consideration the UK's planning policy and guidance as well as opinions of all relevant parties, putting forward a high-quality development scheme. 

The Chinese Embassy in the UK is committed to promoting the friendship between the Chinese and British people and the development of bilateral relations between the two countries. Building the new embassy at an early date would help embassy staff better perform such responsibilities, the spokesperson said. 

The spokesperson also noted that host countries have the international obligation to support and facilitate the building of the premises of diplomatic missions. Both China and the UK have the need to build a new embassy in each other's capital, and the two sides should provide facilitation to each other, the spokesperson said.