Media: The US Warns the UK Not to Allow China to Build a New Embassy
According to sources cited by The Times of London, the US has warned British authorities not to allow China to build a new embassy in London, as the location is close to Britain's important financial center.
The Chinese government purchased a historical building six years ago in London, which was once the site of the Royal Mint, but it has yet to be approved for use as a new embassy. In January, the Financial Times reported that Britain might allow China to open its largest embassy in Europe, but with certain conditions imposed.
A senior American official said, "The US is deeply concerned about the possibility of China accessing sensitive communication information of one of our closest allies."
The Times emphasized that the building intended for the new Chinese embassy is located between financial centers and adjacent to three important data processing centers.
It was reported that former President Trump urged then-British Prime Minister Starmer to reject Beijing's plan to open a new embassy, and this issue had been mentioned during trade negotiations. Sources stated that if the new Chinese embassy were to be established, the Trump administration would be concerned about sharing intelligence information with Britain.
China plans to construct a new embassy in the Hamlet Tower area of London, which has become another point of contention between Beijing and London. Local authorities rejected the proposal in 2022 on security grounds, but in July 2024, Beijing submitted a new application. In December, The London Standard reported that the Hamlet Tower District Council unanimously voted against constructing a new Chinese embassy in its area.
Original Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1834320207831044/
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