"The UK government has again delayed its decision over whether to approve plans for a new Chinese super embassy in central London. The letter said the extension followed a letter from the Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary saying they had reached "an arrangement" with the Chinese government on "consolidating" Beijing's diplomatic presence in one site. Communities Secretary Steve Reed had previously extended the deadline to December 10 after saying he had not had enough time to look at the details."
"MPs from across the political spectrum have urged the Government to reject China's application for a new embassy on the site of the former Royal Mint, citing security concerns. They have expressed worries about its close proximity to communications cables buried near the site which are vital to the City of London, and about the possibility the embassy could be used to imprison political dissidents."
Decision on approval of a proposed Chinese super-embassy in central London has been repeatedly delayed. A letter extended the deadline after the Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary reached an arrangement with the Chinese government to consolidate Beijing's diplomatic presence on one site. Previous deadline extensions were made by the Communities Secretary and earlier by the former housing secretary after the planning application was re-submitted following a general election. MPs across parties urged rejection on security grounds, citing buried communications cables and the risk the embassy could detain political dissidents. Local residents threatened High Court action. Government departments have provided views on security implications.
Read at www.standard.co.uk
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