Overview

• The Planning Inspectorate recommended approval after a 12-day public inquiry in February and has sent its report to Angela Rayner for a final decision.
• The proposed embassy at Royal Mint Court lies close to the Tower of London and major financial districts, triggering US warnings over access to sensitive communications cables and data centres.
• Royal Mint Court residents and local politicians have launched a crowdfunded judicial review challenge, citing national security and privacy risks.
• Opposition Conservatives, led by party leader Kemi Badenoch, and MPs sanctioned by China have pressed the government to halt the plans and warn against using sanctions relief as a negotiation tool.
• Beijing has dismissed espionage allegations as politically motivated slander, heightening diplomatic rifts with the UK and the United States.