British media report that the selection of the site for the new Chinese embassy in the UK has sparked controversy, with the focus being on whether there is a risk of espionage.

[British media: China Embassy project sparks international controversy]

On June 7, according to The Times,

The US government warned the UK that China's plan to build a new "super embassy" in central London may threaten the security of the US and the UK, posing a risk of espionage and potentially leading to restricted cooperation.

The Trump administration has alerted the British side to the risks of the embassy site being close to key infrastructure in London. This "super embassy" project was previously halted by the former British government due to intelligence concerns about espionage activities, but was later restarted.

The report stated that the new embassy location is at the Royal Mint Court, adjacent to a core UK communication hub, between the financial center "City of London" and "Canary Wharf," and near three key data centers. The US side is concerned that the embassy might launch cyber attacks targeting strategic communication cables connecting the US and the UK.

A U.S. official said, "The U.S. is deeply concerned that China may use this to gain access to sensitive communications information from our closest ally."

The Times pointed out that this matter occurs as the US and the UK negotiate a new trade agreement, requiring them to avoid imposing a 50% tariff on steel imports from the UK by July 9. The White House stated that "all decisions must prioritize national security interests and be rigorously assessed by counterintelligence experts." Trump had personally called Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, requesting that the project be vetoed and threatened to review the intelligence-sharing mechanism with the UK.

John Moolenaar, chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives China Task Force, said that building a "unprecedentedly scaled" Chinese embassy above the communication lines supporting the US-UK financial system "poses unacceptable risks to our institutions." Luke Depford, executive director of the cross-party "China Issues Parliamentary Alliance" (Ipac), frankly stated that the project has become a "point of contention" in US-UK trade negotiations, and the UK and the US need to make it clear to China: "We will not compromise at the expense of national security."

The report stated that since 2018, China has attempted to renovate the Royal Mint complex near the Tower of London. In 2022, the project was rejected by the Tower Hamlets Council, but last year, after intervention by UK Treasury officials, the London police and local council withdrew their objections.

Priti Patel, shadow foreign secretary for the opposition Labour Party, criticized that the Labour Party is taking risks with national security for "political propaganda and Chinese funds," while the Conservatives "never allow the financial center or the country to face risks." The Chinese embassy previously denied espionage allegations, stating that "anti-Chinese forces consistently smear and attack China." The UK government confirmed that the project has been submitted for cabinet review, and the final decision will be made according to the process.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1834346884660427/

Disclaimer: The article solely represents the author's personal views.