The Chinese Embassy in the UK Photo: the official website of the Chinese Embassy in the UKThe White House has reportedly warned Downing Street against allowing a Chinese embassy to be built near sensitive London financial centers, according to UK media. A Chinese expert said that the warn appears more like an emotional response to the recent growing China-UK and even China-European ties, noting that as China and the US are currently in a critical period of trade negotiations, it is hoped that the US side will demonstrate sincerity in the talks.China has been trying to redevelop former Royal Mint buildings near the Tower of London since it bought the site in 2018, the Times said.This project, however, faced setbacks in subsequent years due to anti-China forces manipulating public opinion in the UK.As China-UK engagement progresses, a shift in the situation has now emerged.Within a fortnight of British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves returning from an official visit to China this year, both Scotland Yard and Tower Hamlets council dropped their objections to the project, according to the Times.However, so-called fresh security concerns have been raised about the complex at Royal Mint Court because of its proximity to a sensitive hub of critical communication cables that could be susceptible to attack, according to UK media.A senior US official was quoted as claiming that "the US is deeply concerned about providing China with potential access to the sensitive communications of one of our closest allies," per Times.US president Donald Trump has previously urged Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer to deny permission for the embassy and the issue has been raised in the trade negotiations, per the Times.Britain is locked in talks with the US about how to implement the trade deal that was signed last month. They have until July 9 to agree to a deal to avoid UK steel producers from being hit with a new 50 percent import tariffs, the Times reported.Asked what impact approving the super embassy would have on the US trade deal, the White House official appeared to issue a veiled threat. The UK media reported that "The US expects that all decisions will be taken with national security interests of both US and UK in mind and after thorough mitigation as recommended and approved by counterintelligence professionals. "Diplomats claimed that the Trump administration would have reservations about sharing intelligence with the UK if the embassy opened, according to the report.

Source: The Times June 08, 2025 17:58 UTC