China said on Wednesday, January 21st that Britain had an “obligation” to approve Beijing’s plans for a large new embassy in London, a day after the controversial project received government approval.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a press conference:
Providing support and convenience for the construction of diplomatic premises is an international obligation of the host country.
Indeed, the planned 20,000-square-metre (235,000-square-foot) site is set to become the biggest embassy in Europe.
The approval has triggered protests from rights groups and activists who fear the site could be used for espionage or harassment of dissidents. Despite the backlash, British housing minister Steve Reed said the decision is final, though the project could still face legal challenges from local residents in London.
The government’s approval of the project has even provoked criticism from Labour’s own benches. Sarah Champion MP said that “with China’s record on transnational repression, the site’s proximity to sensitive cabling and relentless threats to our national security, this embassy should not be granted planning” permission.
