The British government has postponed its decision on China’s planned large embassy in London after Beijing declined to provide full and unredacted architectural plans for several of the buildings in the project, increasing concerns about transparency and security. The deadline has been extended from September 9 to October 21, 2025, according to Phayul.

Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary who is handling the planning application, asked for complete internal layouts or clear explanations for the sections that remain incomplete, particularly in the Cultural Exchange Building and Embassy House. China rejected the UK’s request, saying that the information already shared is adequate and complies with planning rules.

The proposed embassy would be built at the Royal Mint Court site, directly across from the Tower of London, and if approved it would become the largest Chinese diplomatic compound in Europe. Its scale and sensitive location have raised concerns among residents, human rights groups, and lawmakers in both the UK and the United States, who argue that the incomplete plans could hide security risks. Beijing has dismissed these concerns as "slander", urging the UK to approve the project quickly and pointing to reciprocal developments involving embassies in Beijing, Phayul reported.

Tibetan and allied groups in the UK organised a major protest on Saturday against China’s proposal to establish what they called a "mega-embassy" on the former Royal Mint Court site near the Tower of London. Activists, including members of the Inter Parliamentary Alliance on China, argued that China’s explanations are insufficient and urged government ministers to reject the plan unless full transparency is provided. The planning consultancy DP9, representing the Chinese government, said the information already submitted is sufficient for planning purposes, according to Phayul.

From a diplomatic perspective, the embassy issue has overshadowed early discussions between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Xi Jinping. Starmer is under pressure from security advocates and local protesters to obtain stronger guarantees from Beijing, while Chinese officials have described the delays as a test of the UK’s commitment to its international responsibilities regarding diplomatic premises.

Critics have warned that approving a large, partly redacted facility close to key infrastructure would be irresponsible, citing possible espionage risks and the negative effect on demonstrators outside the compound, given China’s human rights record in Tibet, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang. Beijing has rejected these claims, saying that the UK is politicising a routine planning process, Phayul reported.