Spectator (UK)

Dutch sound alarm on Chinese super-embassy in London

Guardian

US weighs in with concerns over China’s proposed ‘super-embassy’ in London

Metaculus

Lloyd Austin

Mark Milley

Mike Minihan

Jacob Thornburg

Michael Brenner

Finian Cunningham

Scott Ritter

Ray Dalio

Global Times

Kevin Rudd

Zhao Tong

Stanislaw Koziej

Robert S. Ross

Charles C. Krulak

Michael C. Horowitz

Joseph S. Nye

Qin Gang

Frank Kendall III

Thomas L. Friedman

Marco J. Lyons

"I argue that war is unlikely to occur due to the deep economic ties underlying the great power politics between the two countries."

"War with either [Russia or China] is neither inevitable nor imminent."

"As things currently stand, the US is not prepared to fight and win a war with China over Taiwan."

"A war between the US and China today is no more inevitable than was war between the rising US and the declining United Kingdom a century ago."

"[T]he tension between the United States and China will grow, and competition will intensify; it is inevitable. War, however, is not."

"War is a risk, but it is not inevitable."

"The risk of a military conflict is very serious."

"The smallest misstep by either side [Taipei and Beijing] could ignite a U.S.-China war."

"China is preparing for a war and specifically for a war with the United States."

"The most proximate potential timeframe for war is in the next two years."

"My gut tells me we [the US] will fight [with China] in 2025."

Will There Be a US-China War?

The U.K. Planning Inspectorate has reportedly recommended approval for China’s proposed super-embassy at the former Royal Mint site near the Tower of London, which Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner expected to make a final decision before September.

The Times

The Standard

The U.K. Planning Inspectorate has reportedly recommended approval for China’s proposed super-embassy at the former Royal Mint site near the Tower of London, which Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner expected to make a final decision before September.

If approved, the five-acre embassy will be situated on the outskirts of the City of London, the U.K.’s financial center, government buildings, and sensitive data centers, as well as the underground information cables connecting the City to Canary Wharf.

The Sun

The Architects’ Journal

If approved, the five-acre embassy will be situated on the outskirts of the City of London, the U.K.’s financial center, government buildings, and sensitive data centers, as well as the underground information cables connecting the City to Canary Wharf.

In exclusive comments made to The Telegraph, Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said he would support a judicial review into the embassy proposals if the government grants approval, claiming that it would be “damaging” for national security and “must be stopped.”

The Telegraph

In exclusive comments made to The Telegraph, Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said he would support a judicial review into the embassy proposals if the government grants approval, claiming that it would be “damaging” for national security and “must be stopped.”

The embassy plans have also faced criticism from abroad. The White House has cautioned the U.K. government against the plans, with one U.S. official stating that the U.S. was “deeply concerned about providing China with potential access to the sensitive communications.”

City AM

The embassy plans have also faced criticism from abroad. The White House has cautioned the U.K. government against the plans, with one U.S. official stating that the U.S. was “deeply concerned about providing China with potential access to the sensitive communications.”

The Dutch Parliament has also expressed concerns that the development could compromise financial communications via underground cable connections between London and Amsterdam that run beneath the former Royal Mint building.

Parliament

The Dutch Parliament has also expressed concerns that the development could compromise financial communications via underground cable connections between London and Amsterdam that run beneath the former Royal Mint building.

The Chinese embassy has rejected claims that the new building would undermine national security, however, with a spokesperson dismissing them as “anti-China elements” that are “keen on slandering and attacking China.”

The Chinese embassy has rejected claims that the new building would undermine national security, however, with a spokesperson dismissing them as “anti-China elements” that are “keen on slandering and attacking China.”

Spectator (UK) #1

Guardian #1

Metaculus #0

The controversial 2.4-hectare site sits between London's financial districts of the City and Canary Wharf, raising security concerns about its proximity to sensitive communication cables and three critical data centers that connect major financial institutions.</span

The Times #

The Telegraph #

The controversial 2.4-hectare site sits between London's financial districts of the City and Canary Wharf, raising security concerns about its proximity to sensitive communication cables and three critical data centers that connect major financial institutions.

President Xi Jinping personally lobbied Prime Minister Keir Starmer about the embassy plans, while Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi raised the issue with Foreign Secretary David Lammy during his January 2025 visit to London.</span

The Standard #

President Xi Jinping personally lobbied Prime Minister Keir Starmer about the embassy plans, while Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi raised the issue with Foreign Secretary David Lammy during his January 2025 visit to London.

The United States government has expressed "deep concerns" about providing China with potential access to sensitive communications of a close ally, with President Trump reportedly urging Starmer to deny permission for the embassy.</span

Guardian #5232

The United States government has expressed "deep concerns" about providing China with potential access to sensitive communications of a close ally, with President Trump reportedly urging Starmer to deny permission for the embassy.

Tower Hamlets Council rejected the proposal twice on security grounds, but the decision was called in by the government, stripping local authority control over the planning process.</span

The Sun #

Tower Hamlets Council rejected the proposal twice on security grounds, but the decision was called in by the government, stripping local authority control over the planning process.

Local residents and the Royal Mint Court Residents Association are preparing a judicial review challenge, crowdfunding legal action against what they describe as a "stitched-up deal" predetermined by diplomatic pressure.</span

Local residents and the Royal Mint Court Residents Association are preparing a judicial review challenge, crowdfunding legal action against what they describe as a "stitched-up deal" predetermined by diplomatic pressure.

The super-embassy poses serious national security risks given its strategic location near critical financial infrastructure and data cables. Intelligence officials, US allies, and Dutch parliamentarians have all raised alarm about potential espionage capabilities. The approval process appears compromised by high-level diplomatic pressure.

The super-embassy poses serious national security risks given its strategic location near critical financial infrastructure and data cables. Intelligence officials, US allies, and Dutch parliamentarians have all raised alarm about potential espionage capabilities. The approval process appears compromised by high-level diplomatic pressure.

Spectator (UK) #945

Rayner facing fight over China super-embassy in heart of London

The US-China Conflict

Chinese Super-Embassy Near Tower of London Nears Approval

Headlines

United Kingdom

China

Politics

This embassy represents necessary diplomatic infrastructure that enables proper bilateral relations between two major powers. China purchased the site legitimately in 2018 and has worked within the UK planning system for years. The security concerns are overblown fearmongering from anti-China elements who consistently attack legitimate Chinese interests.

This embassy represents necessary diplomatic infrastructure that enables proper bilateral relations between two major powers. China purchased the site legitimately in 2018 and has worked within the UK planning system for years. The security concerns are overblown fearmongering from anti-China elements who consistently attack legitimate Chinese interests.

Daily Star

UK set for Chinese 'super-embassy' despite Trump officials issuing urgent spy warning

Chinese Super-Embassy Near Tower of London Nears Approval

Chinese Super-Embassy Near Tower of London Nears Approval

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The Controversies

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Friedman

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Minihan

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Chinese Super-Embassy Near Tower of London Nears Approval

Chinese Super-Embassy Near Tower of London Nears Approval

The Spin

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Thornburg

Milley

Ritter

Krulak

Rudd

Nye

Tong

Friedman

III

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Minihan

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