[Reuters reports: ](https://uk.news.yahoo.com/uk-approves-china-plan-largest-110732940.html)Britain’s government gave approval on Tuesday for China to build its largest embassy in Europe in London, hoping to improve ties with Beijing despite British and U.S. politicians’ warnings that it could be used as a base for spying.
The approval was subject to some conditions.
China’s plans to build a new embassy on the site of the two-century-old Royal Mint Court near the Tower of London have stalled for three years over opposition from local residents, lawmakers and Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigners in Britain.
That_one_higgs_boson on
Bruh
BlackTiger03 on
China WILL spy, but hey at least they wont threaten to invade every weaker ally nation, like another who does so in addition to spying
Stahlmark on
What is the West doing man lmao
Commercial_Badger_37 on
We’ve accepted we’re addicted to China. We’ve become dependent on their manufacturing capacity and cheap products to serve our needs, and we’ve pulled ourselves out of the world’s largest trading block, so we don’t have much leverage to start dictating or even negotiating on these things. Of course we’re going to become subservient to whatever they want, despite the advice of our own intelligence services.
Battle_Biscuits on
This is China consolidating several diplomatic sites into one, so it does make it easier for MI5 to monitor the embassy. Of course, the embassy will be used as a hub for intelligence gathering (like all embassies) but as long as MI5 are confident the risks can be managed (which they seem to be) then I don’t object to this.
freexe on
Not just espionage fears. Fears they are going to kidnap UK citizens with Chinese links and torture and deport them secretly
Sasquatchii on
Seeing a lot of Chinese talking points that somehow China is a gentle giant who respects sovereignty. Over the past 30 years (1996-2026), China has pursued territorial claims and encroachments through military incursions, island-building, administrative actions, and “salami-slicing” tactics. Below is a very brief breakdown by directly affected nations in recent years, which obviously omit the nearly endless “China threatens” schtick. You’ll see it’s nearly everyone who’s in contact w China.
• Taiwan (ROC): Claims entire island as inalienable territory. Frequent ADIZ incursions (near-daily since 2020); blockade drills (2022 after Pelosi visit; 2025-2026 exercises). Also claims in South China Sea (Spratlys, Paracels).
• Brunei: SCS (Louisa Reef, EEZ). Overlapping claims with island-building; no direct clashes but protests China’s actions. 
• Indonesia: Natuna Islands EEZ. Fishing vessel incursions (2019-2020); rejected 9-dash line via UN note (2020). 
• Russia: Map alterations (2023) claiming Bolshoy Ussuriysky Island fully (despite 2008 agreement); farmland leases/purchases seen as encroachment. 
These actions heighten tensions, though some borders (e.g., Tajikistan) resolved peacefully.
Of course not included here are high interest loans and other coercive behaviors targeting third world nations, aimed at controlling their infrastructure and in particular, their ports and import/export zones.
8 Comments
[Reuters reports: ](https://uk.news.yahoo.com/uk-approves-china-plan-largest-110732940.html)Britain’s government gave approval on Tuesday for China to build its largest embassy in Europe in London, hoping to improve ties with Beijing despite British and U.S. politicians’ warnings that it could be used as a base for spying.
The approval was subject to some conditions.
China’s plans to build a new embassy on the site of the two-century-old Royal Mint Court near the Tower of London have stalled for three years over opposition from local residents, lawmakers and Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigners in Britain.
Bruh
China WILL spy, but hey at least they wont threaten to invade every weaker ally nation, like another who does so in addition to spying
What is the West doing man lmao
We’ve accepted we’re addicted to China. We’ve become dependent on their manufacturing capacity and cheap products to serve our needs, and we’ve pulled ourselves out of the world’s largest trading block, so we don’t have much leverage to start dictating or even negotiating on these things. Of course we’re going to become subservient to whatever they want, despite the advice of our own intelligence services.
This is China consolidating several diplomatic sites into one, so it does make it easier for MI5 to monitor the embassy. Of course, the embassy will be used as a hub for intelligence gathering (like all embassies) but as long as MI5 are confident the risks can be managed (which they seem to be) then I don’t object to this.
Not just espionage fears. Fears they are going to kidnap UK citizens with Chinese links and torture and deport them secretly
Seeing a lot of Chinese talking points that somehow China is a gentle giant who respects sovereignty. Over the past 30 years (1996-2026), China has pursued territorial claims and encroachments through military incursions, island-building, administrative actions, and “salami-slicing” tactics. Below is a very brief breakdown by directly affected nations in recent years, which obviously omit the nearly endless “China threatens” schtick. You’ll see it’s nearly everyone who’s in contact w China.
• Taiwan (ROC): Claims entire island as inalienable territory. Frequent ADIZ incursions (near-daily since 2020); blockade drills (2022 after Pelosi visit; 2025-2026 exercises). Also claims in South China Sea (Spratlys, Paracels).

• Japan: Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands dispute. Fishing boat collision (2010); ship/aircraft incursions (2012); ADIZ declaration (2013); warship approaches (2016, 2022); prolonged ship presence (2023); EEZ buoy (2024). 
• India: Claims Arunachal Pradesh as “South Tibet” (since 2006); occupies Aksai Chin. Encroachments: Daulat Beg Oldi camp (2013); Demchok standoff (2014); Burtse face-off (2015); Galwan clashes/seizures (2020, 20 Indian deaths). 
• Bhutan: Road-building violations (1998); Doklam standoff (2017); Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary claim (2020); 22 villages built in disputed areas (2024). 
• Nepal: Encroachments in Humla district; annexed Rui village (2020), claiming as part of Tibet. 
• Vietnam: South China Sea (Paracels, Spratlys). Oil rig deployment/clashes (2014); fishing boat sinking (2020); ongoing militia patrols, illegal fishing. 
• Philippines: SCS (Scarborough Shoal seizure 2012; Mischief Reef 1994). Island militarization (2012-2016); Second Thomas Shoal tensions (ongoing); rejected 2016 Hague ruling. 
• Malaysia: SCS (Spratlys, Luconia Shoals). Island-building overlaps; EEZ incursions; rejected China’s 2023 map. 
• Brunei: SCS (Louisa Reef, EEZ). Overlapping claims with island-building; no direct clashes but protests China’s actions. 
• Indonesia: Natuna Islands EEZ. Fishing vessel incursions (2019-2020); rejected 9-dash line via UN note (2020). 
• Russia: Map alterations (2023) claiming Bolshoy Ussuriysky Island fully (despite 2008 agreement); farmland leases/purchases seen as encroachment. 
These actions heighten tensions, though some borders (e.g., Tajikistan) resolved peacefully.
Of course not included here are high interest loans and other coercive behaviors targeting third world nations, aimed at controlling their infrastructure and in particular, their ports and import/export zones.