U.S. Warns Britain on China's "Mega Embassy"
The Lowdown on London's Controversial "Super Embassy"
The UK government's consideration of constructing China's imposing embassy near critical financial centers in London has sparked alarm in the White House. A high-ranking American official tells The Times that the project could potentially provide unchecked access to Beijing for "confidential communications of one of our closest allies."
Trade talks seem to have the construction on the line, with the official stating, "The United States anticipates that all decisions will be guided by the interests of our nations' security, considering the intel experts' recommendations and risk mitigation." This statement seems to be interpreted as a veiled warning, appearing as it does in The Times.
Following the announcement of mirror tariffs (London's being 10%), the US and UK signed the first post-tariff trade deal. President Donald Trump stated that this agreement will bolster national security for both nations.
- rbc.group reports that Trump urged British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to halt the embassy's opening, and the issue has been brought up during trade discussions. Diplomats confirm White House objections to intelligence sharing with London in the event of the embassy opening.
- The site in question is part of the Royal Mint, purchased by Beijing for the embassy in 2018. It's nestled near the Tower of London, the City business district, and three major data processing centers.
Previously, the UK government put a stop to the development of the largest European embassy due to concerns about espionage risks from British intelligence. The residents of the Tower Hamlets area, where the embassy will be located, also opposed the project.
As a condition for construction, the current government has stipulated the creation of a strict perimeter with "occasional controlled public access." UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper reveal that limiting access to the Cistercian ruins on the Royal Mint site could obstruct emergency services, such as an ambulance crew, from reaching the area. However, Beijing has turned down this requirement.
- Read RIA Novosti in Telegram**.
China Cites Breach of "Trade Truce" Politics In an earlier report by The Times, the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (Ipac) submitted a memorandum to the U.S. National Security Council, stating that "secret cables" beneath potential embassy territory "power London's financial hub."
Representative John Mulaney, a Republican, points out that stationing a Chinese embassy of extraordinary size above confidential cables sustaining the US and UK financial systems would pose a severe threat to those institutions.
Though a Chinese embassy representative has previously denied spying allegations according to The Times, a government representative declared, "Applications for the opening of a new Chinese embassy in Tower Hamlets have been submitted to ministers. A final decision will be made in due time."
Noteworthy Aspects:
National security fears stem from the embassy's proximity to critical infrastructure and potential espionage activities. There are concerns that the embassy could become a hub for Chinese espionage due to its strategic location and size, which have alarmed both the US and British politicians who view it as a potential threat. The project could compromise the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance and create trade negotiations disputes, potentially straining UK-US relations.
[1] en.interfax.ru/general/802643[2] www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/us-uk-need-unite-against-china-super-embassy-n1274962[3] www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3137869/china-us-trade-tensions-what-happened-us-china-trade-war[4] www.thetimes.co.uk/article/uk-conservative-mps-warn-mapping-out-of-china-embassy-plan-on-espionage-risks-da7ld8rsn[5] theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jun/08/china-uk-super-embassy-spying-risks-intelligence
- The controversy surrounding China's proposed embassy in London, strategically located near critical financial centers and data processing centers, has raised concerns about national security and potential espionage activities, prompting a veiled warning from a high-ranking American official to the UK government.
- Amid reports of a Chinese embassy of extraordinary size being built above confidential cables sustaining US and UK financial systems, Representative John Mulaney emphasizes that this could pose a severe threat to these institutions, exacerbating tensions between the US and China.
