Overview
- Hundreds rallied at Royal Mint Court, with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and MPs from several parties urging the government to block the project.
- Unredacted plans reported by the Daily Telegraph describe about 208 subterranean rooms and a concealed chamber near key fibre‑optic cables, allegations China rejects as baseless.
- Ministers must rule by January 20, and multiple outlets report the scheme is likely to be approved, positioning it as the largest Chinese embassy in Europe at roughly 20,000–22,000 square metres.
- Associated Press reports UK security services are thought to have cleared the development, even as agencies have warned about Chinese espionage and some politicians demand greater scrutiny.
- Rights groups, diaspora activists and local residents warn of risks from surveillance and transnational repression and signal they may pursue a judicial review if permission is granted.