Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Britain finally gives the go-ahead to build one New Chinese Embassy in Londonthe decision was shelved for seven years planning disputes The diplomatic standoff further complicates efforts to repair damaged relations between the two countries.
Here’s a timeline of why the planning application took so long to resolve:
May 2018
China Announcing plans to build a new embassy in London royal mint – a British coin maker – bought the land at the site for about £250 million ($337 million).
The new embassy will replace China’s main diplomatic premises in Portland Place, Marylebone, central London. Since its opening in 1877 as China’s first permanent overseas diplomatic mission, it has been the home of the Chinese Embassy.
Chinese diplomats say they need a new embassy because the current space is too small and they use several buildings in London to host officials working in science, defence, culture and visa services.
When the Chinese government purchased the land, the then British Conservative government also gave its approval. The then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Boris Johnsonwelcoming what he called China’s “largest overseas diplomatic investment” at the time.
The then Chinese Ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming, expressed the hope that the agreement would “write a new chapter in the golden era between China and the UK”.
June 2021
China submits plans to rebuild the site to the United Nations Tower Hamlets Council In East London. Under UK law, local government is responsible for most planning decisions.
The plan sets out how China plans to build an embassy covering an area of about 55,000 square meters (600,000 square feet), which would be its largest in Europe.
The new embassy will include sufficient space for offices, housing for diplomats and staff, as well as commercial, consular services, educational and cultural centers.
December 2022
Problems began when Tower Hamlets Council unexpectedly refused to approve the project, saying it would impact on residents’ lives.
While unelected planning officers at Tower Hamlets Council accepted the plans, local elected councilors rejected them at a meeting.
Lawmakers sided with local residents who said they could be caught up in protests at the site and complained about China’s treatment of them. UighurIt’s a sensitive issue for residents of east London, an area with a large Muslim population.
August 2023
China has suspended plans to build a new embassy after missing a deadline to appeal a local council decision.
Sources told Reuters at the time that China would only resubmit its application after receiving a commitment from the British government to intervene.
Around this time, British officials said London’s plans to rebuild its embassy in Beijing could be subject to a tit-for-tat move unless China was allowed to relocate its embassy.
July 2024
Two weeks after the British Prime Minister took office Keir StarmerLabor won one of the largest parliamentary majorities in recent history and China resubmitted its planning application to the local government.
August 2024
Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his concern for Failure to approve the embassy’s decision First call with Starmer.
October 2024
The UK government has the power to rein in stalled planning decisions, which it can do if the application is controversial or of national significance.
This triggers a planning inquiry before the government makes a final decision.
November 2024
Starmer told Xi in a televised speech at the G20 summit in Brazil that his government would make a final decision on whether to approve the embassy after Xi raised the matter with him.
January 2025
After the planning inquiry called for evidence, the then Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary expressed their support for the scheme.
August 2025
The government first delayed a decision after saying some planning applications in China were blocked.
Britain delayed the ruling twice more in the following months, citing a slow response from the Home Office and Foreign Office, while ministers faced criticism over the collapse of the trial of a man accused of spying for Beijing.
January 2026
UK government approves embassy plans, saying national security is its “primary responsibility” intelligence agency Be involved every step of the way.