MPs demand probe into China’s plans to build ‘super-embassy’ opposite the Tower of London

MPs are demanding a probe into China’s plans to build a ‘super-embassy’ opposite the Tower of London after a protestor was beat up outside the Beijing consulate in Manchester. 

Politicians,members of the House of Lords and stakeholders have demanded a probe into the country’s plans to convert the old Royal Mint into a ‘super-embassy’, sitting opposite the Tower of London.

The People’s Republic of China handed over £255 million to become the landlord of the historic 700,000 ft site back in 2018. 

It comes as 100 homeowners on the London estate realised the freehold to their properties is owned by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), The Times reports. 

Bob Chan was pulled to the ground outside the gate of the Chinese consulate in manchester following a demonstration against the country’s president Xi Jinping 

Plans to create the large embassy, however, were called into question this week after a pro-democracy campaigner from Hong Kong was seen being dragged to the ground and beaten by Chinese officials outside the country’s Manchester consulate.

The drama flared up on Sunday during a peaceful protest outside the consulate building.

Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters had reportedly organised a peaceful protest outside of the Consulate in response to the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, where President Xi Jinping is widely expected to announce another five years in power.

But scuffles broke out outside the diplomatic HQ after 30 to 40 pro-democracy started to put up posters.

British police intervened to stop Bob Chan being harmed further in what was called a ‘chilling escalation’ of violence. 

Following the incident, Foreign Office minister Jesse Norman to issue a fresh warning to the Chinese Government, stating that the behaviour had been ‘completely unacceptable’.

China has plans to convert the old Royal Mint building (pictured), opposite the Tower of London into their biggest European embassy 

An independent police investigation is underway, with the UK warning that China does not waive immunity for any officials if charged with the assault of Mr Chan.

Footage of the incident has sparked an outcry among British politicians, calling for China’s ‘super-embassy’ plans to be axed.  

Lord Alton of Liverpool told The Times the UK’s relationship with China had changed since 2018 and questioned whether the large embassy should be built.

He said: ‘The idea that the Royal Mint should become a prime site for the promotion of the CCP is wrong. 

‘It will give them a great deal of prestige and I am sympathetic to the security issues and the concern from local residents. 

‘I think the secretary of state should call it in.’

If the plans go ahead, the embassy will be one of the largest diplomatic bases across the globe.

It would be a third bigger than the enormous new US embassy in Vauxhall, south London. 

Chairman of the Royal Mint Estate Residents’ Association Dave Lake said: ‘All of a sudden the estate has been bought by the Chinese and the CCP are our freeholders.’

The concerned chairman added that it was a ‘worrying prospect given the behaviour we have seen in Manchester this week’. 

Metropolitan and Thames Valley housing association said it had ‘no say or influence’ over actions taken by freeholders.

Planning permission remains a local authority matter within the UK but the decision can be ‘called in’ by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, or central government.  

Last year, residents living around the old Royal Mint, called for streets around the proposed embassy to be renamed after areas  and local communities affected by the Chinese state of oppression.

The motion, heard at Tower Hamlets full council meeting, called for the local authority to rename the roads Tiananmen Square, in memory of the 1989 student protests in China, Uyghur Court, Hong Kong Road and Xiaobo Liu.

Reflecting on the proposed super-embassy, following on from the aggression in Manchester earlier this week, former leader of the Conservative Party Sir Iain Duncan Smith told The Times: ‘Anything to do with China now has to be looked at. 

‘China is no longer benign.’

China has consulates in Edinburgh and Belfast as well as Manchester.

As of 2010 there were only 94 Chinese officials living in the UK but by 2020 the number has now surpassed 116, with 120 living in London alone. 

Earlier this week, in a fresh political attack, Foreign Office Minister Jesse Norman told MPs: ‘We have made it absolutely clear to the Chinese embassy that the apparent behaviour of consulate general officials during the incident, as it appears from footage, which even now more is coming out, is completely unacceptable.

‘The independent police investigation is now under way. Greater Manchester Police have been clear there are many strands to what is a complex and sensitive inquiry and it may take some time.

‘As the Foreign Secretary (James Cleverly) has said, we will await the details of the investigation, but in the meantime I’ve instructed our ambassador to deliver a clear message directly to the ministry of foreign affairs in Beijing about the depth of concern at the apparent actions of consulate general staff.

‘Let me be clear: if the police determine there are grounds to charge any officials, we would expect the Chinese consulate to waive immunity for those officials. If they do not, then diplomatic consequences will follow.’