UK government approves Chinese embassy development at Royal Mint Court
Plans for China’s new London embassy get green light after years of political and planning delays.
20 January 2026
On the 20th January 2026, the UK government approved plans for a major new Chinese embassy complex at Royal Mint Court in east London, bringing to an end a long-running and politically fraught planning process.
The decision, issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, clears the way for the development of what will be China’s largest diplomatic presence in Europe, on a site purchased for £255m in 2018. The embassy, designed by David Chipperfield Architects, will replace a historic office campus next to the Tower of London.
The project’s path to approval has been anything but straightforward. Originally refused by Tower Hamlets Council, the application was later called in by central government amid mounting international pressure. Inquiries, reference-back letters, and redacted technical plans all featured in a complex review process, which included national security considerations and public protests.
MPs from across the political spectrum had expressed concerns about the scale and location of the proposed development, with particular scrutiny placed on alleged ‘secret rooms’ and the site's proximity to sensitive data infrastructure. Nonetheless, the government has insisted the decision was made through an evidence-based, quasi-judicial process, with national security factored into final deliberations.
Approval comes just days before Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to visit Beijing, potentially easing diplomatic tensions that had stalled the UK’s own embassy redevelopment plans in China. However, campaigners, including members of Hong Kong, Tibetan and Uyghur communities, have vowed to continue opposing the scheme, raising concerns over surveillance and intimidation.
Despite the controversy, construction is now set to begin, marking a significant moment in both the capital’s diplomatic architecture and the broader UK-China relationship. However, there is still potential for delay with some local residents threatening further legal action.
