China's purchase of a historical building in the heart of London to form a "super embassy" is raising concerns about security in the United Kingdom. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio reports.

London

China's proposal to establish a 'super embassy' at the former Royal Mint site in central London has led to protests and heightened concerns about national security among local residents, dissidents, and intelligence experts. The embassy, set to be the largest Chinese diplomatic mission in Europe, has drawn criticism due to its proximity to sensitive fiber-optic cables and the potential for increased espionage activities.

The UK government has postponed its decision on the project multiple times, angering Chinese officials. The situation is further complicated by diplomatic negotiations, as the UK seeks approval for its own new embassy in Beijing. The next deadline for a decision is set for January 20th, with potential implications for future UK-China relations.

China wants a "super embassy" in London

Plans for China's so-called super embassy in London sparked these protests over the weekend Demonstrators and Chinese dissidents have concerns over national security and safety CBS News a foreign correspondent Ramy and Asensio is following this for us from central London. Good morning, Ramy So why is this so-called super embassy raising concerns there? Oh Yes, good morning Well the Tower of London and the Shard are just in the distance as you can see But boiling it down China's hope for this so-called super embassy here in central London Literally right next to me here has raised fears that it would also serve as a kind of super hub for Chinese espionage Not just in the UK But also for Europe a Chinese embassy spokesman said that facts have demonstrated that China has always been a builder of world Peace and said that it is the UK that's undermining mutual trust It's been seven years of rising anxiety and six major protests in 2025 alone in the fight to derail China's controversial ambition to establish its largest embassy in Europe here in the heart of London Newly stoked when the UK last week delayed a decision for a third time Angering China many of these protesters are Chinese dissidents or exiles who fled Beijing's reach Intelligence experts say there is a national security risk Sir, Richard dear love is former chief of Britain's mi6 the secret intelligence service. There are important fiber-optic cables that either run under the site or very close to the site which carry Probably massive amounts of important and valuable data is a significant problem Cables which could lie under these architect renderings that transmit sensitive financial and commercial data across London With a bigger physical presence Beijing might better target Communications from the defense and foreign ministries and could employ more Chinese diplomatic staff going off to third countries Ostensibly on holiday or whatever who are actually highly trained intelligence personnel British history and pride play a part to The site is the former home of the Royal Mint that engraved coins with the monarch's face the physical manifestation of the Crown's authority the grounds now sold off to China for nearly 350 million dollars for a physical fortress of Chinese state power in the West Royal Mint court takes up an entire city block. We just walked about nine minutes around the full perimeter now This actually is three times larger than the Chinese Embassy in Washington DC and about ten times Larger than the Chinese Embassy here in London. The question is why does China need so much space? China is a systemic rifle for Pro-democracy Beijing is watching Carmen Lau a former Hong Kong pro-democracy politician now living in exile in London After the failed mass protests of 2019 that we covered all that year What has been the most stressful experience? I've been followed on the streets of London Lao's neighbors also received this wanted letter calling on them to turn her in to the Chinese Embassy for a reward of about $125,000 have they said anything to you? I was so afraid to talk to them after these Incidents happened because you know, who knows who really will be tempted by by the rewards After the 2019 protests nearly 200,000 Hong Kongers are estimated to have moved or fled to the UK is Britain's security Safer, it's a little bit less safe in my opinion And there is another Diplomatic wrinkle to this to the UK wants China to approve its own plan for a new embassy in Beijing and the way things go with China Errol, it's often tit-for-tat I'll scratch my back you scratch you scratch mine the new deadline for the British government is January 20th Prime Minister Stormer here has proposed a trip for himself to Beijing just days after that whether he flies may very well depend Whether Beijing gets exactly what it wants right here. There's always a bigger picture fascinating Ramy. Thank you so much

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