Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian accuses Britain of “disregard for contractual spirit” after delaying approval for what would be Europe’s largest embassy.
LONDON — The Chinese Communist Party laid into the British government Friday after it delayed a decision over a controversial proposed “super embassy” in London.
Britain would “bear all consequences” if planning permission for the 20,000 square meter Chinese Embassy — expected to be the biggest embassy in Europe — near the Tower of London is refused, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said.
Beijing purchased the site for the planned embassy for £255 million in 2018. U.K. Communities Secretary Steve Reed must make a final decision to approve or reject the building application, which has proven deeply controversial with China hawks in the U.K. parliament.
Significant security concerns have been raised over the site’s proximity to cables carrying communications to the City of London financial district, and Beijing’s refusal to present full internal layout plans to British authorities.
Britain this week pushed the deadline for a final ruling on the building from Oct. 21 to Dec. 10, prompting “grave concern and strong dissatisfaction” from Beijing.
Lin told a press conference in China Friday that the country had displayed “the utmost sincerity and patience” during talks over the site, and accused Britain of showing “disregard for contractual spirit, acting in bad faith and without integrity.”
A decision was initially due by Sept. 9 after ministers took control of the application from Tower Hamlets Council in London, making this the second delay by the British government.
The delay comes in a particularly sensitive week for U.K.-China relations. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has faced pressure over the collapsed prosecution of two men accused of spying for China.
Lin demanded Britain “immediately fulfill its obligations and honor its commitments … otherwise the British side shall bear all consequences.”