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Chinese Embassy 2026-01-13
13 January 2026
Lead MP
Alicia Kearns
Debate Type
Urgent Question
Tags
Foreign Affairs
Other Contributors: 29
At a Glance
Alicia Kearns raised concerns about chinese embassy 2026-01-13 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Will the Minister confirm the status of the release of unredacted plans for the proposed Chinese embassy at Royal Mint Court, given concerns about security risks and the proximity to critical communication cables?
Alicia Kearns
Con
Rutland and Stamford
Question
Had any Minister seen the unredacted plans before The Telegraph uncovered them? If not, why not? Was Parliament misled when we were told that all documents were publicly available? Does the Government plan to re-route cables if approved?
Minister reply
No decision has been made. All inquiry documents are publicly available on the Tower Hamlets website. Security concerns will be addressed in line with the process.
Sarah Champion
Lab
Rotherham
Question
Multiple Government agencies have raised concerns about this mega-embassy. Internationally, China is viewed as a hostile state to the UK. How does the Government intend to proceed given these security risks?
Minister reply
We recognise that China poses national security threats but also presents economic opportunities. A consistent and pragmatic approach will be maintained without compromising our security.
Calum Miller
LD
Bicester and Woodstock
Question
Will the Government ensure intelligence agencies update their risk assessments before a final decision is taken? Will they meet protesters on Saturday outside the proposed site?
Minister reply
All material considerations will be taken into account when making a decision. Specific national security concerns cannot be commented upon due to the live nature of the application.
Edward Leigh
Con
Gainsborough
Question
The right hon. Gentleman asked about the Chinese Government’s failure to respond regarding a perimeter wall around a historical site near the proposed embassy location, which could impact planning considerations.
Minister reply
All material considerations will be taken into account when reaching a decision on this case.
Alex Sobel
Lab/Co-op
Leeds Central and Headingley
Question
The Joint Committee on Human Rights has found that the Chinese state undertakes considerable transnational repression against members of the Chinese diaspora in the UK, particularly those critical of Beijing. Will this be a material consideration?
Minister reply
All relevant planning considerations will be taken into account when making a decision.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Question
Has the Intelligence and Security Committee had an opportunity to question the National Security Adviser about this matter?
Minister reply
It is not appropriate for me to comment on any specific matters of national security in this instance.
Rushanara Ali
Lab
Bethnal Green and Stepney
Question
Residents in my constituency have significant concerns about the proposed embassy regarding security, human rights, and local impacts. Will these be taken seriously as part of the process?
Minister reply
All material considerations will be taken into account when making the decision.
Bobby Dean
LD
Carshalton and Wallington
Question
The Government’s response treats this development solely as a planning matter, but it has huge diplomatic consequences. Will national security and diplomatic importance also be considered?
Minister reply
All material considerations will be taken into account.
Lillian Jones
Lab
Kilmarnock and Loudoun
Question
Given the publication of unredacted plans for the Chinese embassy, will the Government and security services look again at whether it is appropriate to allow the embassy to proceed?
Minister reply
All material considerations will be taken into account.
Julian Smith
Con
Skipton and Ripon
Question
The site of the proposed embassy is massive and restricted, making it impossible to monitor activities. Is this judgment call on getting a closer relationship with China wrong?
Minister reply
I note the right hon. Gentleman’s concerns but reiterate that all material considerations will be taken into account.
Mark Sewards
Lab
Leeds South West and Morley
Question
My constituent faces a £100,000 bounty under the national security law in Hong Kong. What assurances can the Government give to ensure her safety if the new embassy is approved?
Minister reply
We will not tolerate transnational repression of this kind and the decision will be made on relevant planning considerations.
Chris Law
SNP
Dundee Central
Question
What action are the Government taking to counter increased threats from the proposed mega-embassy to those communities facing transnational repression?
Minister reply
We have reviewed transnational repression through the defending democracy taskforce and take it seriously, but this is primarily a planning decision.
James Naish
Lab
Rushcliffe
Question
What reassurances can be given that the Prime Minister’s commitment to no delays in granting permission for the mega-embassy has not compromised the independence of the planning process?
Minister reply
The planning process has not been compromised and we will make a decision on or before 20 January.
Edinburgh West
Question
The Minister is avoiding answering concerns about safety and security for constituents, especially regarding redacted photographs showing proximity to critical communications cables. Can he assure them that their safety is a priority?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady's constituents can be reassured as all material considerations will be taken into account by the relevant Ministers when making a decision on this case.
Andrew Murrison
Con
South West Wiltshire
Question
Will the Minister ensure that security agencies closely monitor demolition and replacement of the wall near critical infrastructure to safeguard national security?
Minister reply
I note the right hon. Gentleman's question, and assure him that all material considerations will be taken into account in the decision-making process.
Paul Kohler
LD
Wimbledon
Question
What explanation has been given for redactions in the original application regarding important details?
Minister reply
The Department sought further information via a reference-back letter to parties on 6 August, as it did not feel that it had all necessary information at the time.
David Reed
Con
Exmouth and Exeter East
Question
Given past decisions regarding Huawei and civil nuclear, will the Minister take responsibility for this matter by stepping in to pull the plug on the proposal?
Minister reply
Planning Ministers will make a decision taking into account all material planning considerations.
Carla Lockhart
DUP
Upper Bann
Question
Will the Minister agree that national security should take precedence over planning in this case, and reject the proposal?
Minister reply
I cannot provide a running commentary on a live case, but I assure hon. Members that all relevant planning considerations will be taken into account.
Sarah Bool
Con
South Northamptonshire
Question
How can the Government accept an embassy proposal that is clearly a threat to national security and not in line with local policies?
Minister reply
No decision has been made on this case, but all material considerations will be taken into account.
Solihull West and Shirley
Question
Has any Government Minister called in the Chinese ambassador to discuss these issues?
Minister reply
I cannot provide a running commentary on a live case, but all material considerations will be taken into account.
Bradley Thomas
Con
Bromsgrove
Question
Given security concerns and the proximity of sensitive cabling, should this decision not be made by the Prime Minister in Downing Street with a quick no?
Minister reply
All national security considerations will be taken into account when making a decision.
Ian Roome
LD
North Devon
Question
Given the intertwining of planning and national security, should the Minister review proximity of other countries’ embassies to major underground fibre-optic cables?
Minister reply
All material considerations will be taken into account in this planning case.
Blake Stephenson
Con
Mid Bedfordshire
Question
Does the Minister recognise that approving this embassy could pave the way for economic war and undermine critical data security?
Minister reply
All national security considerations will be taken into account when reaching a decision.
Tewkesbury
Question
Given that the Chinese Communist party is not a friend to the UK, can the Minister do the right thing for national security by rejecting this proposal?
Minister reply
All material considerations will be taken into account when making a decision on this case.
Ben Obese-Jecty
Con
Huntingdon
Question
We seem to be in the Chamber every three weeks addressing espionage and security concerns with regards to China. The Chinese previously stated that they would not resubmit their application unless given assurances of approval. What assurances have been given to China, what are we expecting as a quid pro quo for rebuilding our embassy in Beijing, and what concerns have been raised by Five Eyes partners?
Minister reply
It is inappropriate for me to comment on national security considerations regarding this live case. The decision will be made based on statutory provisions governing planning decisions and published propriety guidance without any commitments being given.
Jim Allister
TUV
North Antrim
Question
Why are the Government so evidently in awe of Chinese requirements, particularly regarding the approval of this mega-embassy before the Prime Minister's visit to Beijing?
Minister reply
I reject the characterisation that we are in awe of China. We take a consistent and pragmatic approach while recognising threats posed by China. No decision has yet been made on the case.
Maidenhead
Question
Given my constituent Carmen Lau's harassment by Chinese authorities, does the Minister accept that approving this application while such transnational repression continues would be a kick in the teeth for Hongkongers?
Minister reply
The safety of Hongkongers is important to us. However, I cannot comment on a live planning case before Planning Ministers.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
What are the Government doing regarding the raiding of a Protestant church in Chengdu by Chinese authorities? The plans for the embassy show potential risks that must be explored. Will the Minister prove that national security will always be the priority?
Minister reply
We recognise the importance of religious freedom and all inquiry information was submitted as part of an independent public inquiry. My Department is seeking further information specifically in relation to redacted plans for this case.
Government Response
This question relates to the proposals for a new Chinese embassy at Royal Mint Court. The case is currently before the Department for consideration, and Planning Ministers must take decisions following a quasi-judicial process based on evidence and planning rules. A public inquiry was held from February to December 2025, with further information sought via reference-back letters. No decision has been made yet; one will be published by January 20, 2026, including all relevant representations and documents.
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