Thousands of protesters, including Hongkongers, Tibetans, Uyghurs, Chinese dissidents, and local Londoners, gathered outside Royal Mint Court today to voice their opposition to China’s plan to build a massive “super embassy” near Tower Bridge. Organizers estimated that between 5,000 to 6,000 people participated in the demonstration, surpassing the 4,000 who attended a similar protest in February.
Despite the heavy police presence and restrictions imposed under the UK Public Order Act, the protest remained largely peaceful, with no reported arrests.
Cross-Party Political Support, But No Labour Representation
At least five Members of Parliament (MPs) attended the protest to show support. The Conservative Party was well represented, with Shadow Housing Minister Kevin Hollinrake, former party leader Iain Duncan Smith, and Lord Bethell addressing the crowd.
The Liberal Democrats also had two MPs present—Luke Taylor and Bobby Dean, both representing constituencies with large Hong Kong expatriate communities.
Notably absent were any representatives from the ruling Labour Party, despite concerns raised by residents and opposition politicians regarding the embassy’s potential security risks.
Residents Fear Surveillance and Security Threats
Local residents living near Royal Mint Court expressed concerns that the Chinese embassy could be used for spying on dissidents and pose a risk to national security.
Mark Nygate, who lives next to the planned embassy complex, said he fears the embassy’s security cameras would record his daily life, violating his privacy rights. “We are worried that our movements might be monitored and misinterpreted as espionage,” he said.
Some protestors held signs comparing the project to China’s “police stations” abroad, which have been accused of targeting overseas dissidents.
Heavy Police Presence and Restrictions
The Metropolitan Police deployed hundreds of officers and erected metal barriers to confine protesters within designated areas. Protesters who refused to remain within the official protest zone were warned they could be arrested under Section 14 of the UK Public Order Act.
Some demonstrators crossed the road repeatedly to protest outside the restricted area, while others placed Chinese flags on the ground, inviting people to step on them.
Tensions flared when officers warned a Hong Kong protester to stop writing protest slogans on a cardboard sign, arguing it was an unauthorized demonstration. However, there were no physical clashes or mass arrests.
Global Attention on the Embassy Dispute
China’s plan to build the largest overseas embassy in London has sparked fierce resistance. The UK government initially opposed the project, citing space limitations and public order concerns. However, the Home Office and Foreign Office later reversed their stance, leading to speculation about political pressure from Beijing.
The US government has also weighed in on the issue. Last month, the US House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party expressed “serious security concerns” over the proposed embassy, warning that it could serve as a hub for intelligence gathering.
British media have reported that former US President Donald Trump raised the issue with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a private meeting in February, though both sides declined to confirm the discussion.
What’s Next?
The decision on whether to approve China’s embassy plan now lies in the hands of UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who is expected to make a final ruling in the coming months.
Protest organizers have vowed to continue their campaign against the embassy, promising more demonstrations and legal challenges in the future.
As the political battle intensifies, one thing remains clear—China’s “super embassy” in London has become a flashpoint for tensions between Beijing, the UK, and the broader international community.
🔴 Stay Updated!
Our Whatsapp broadcast List (English): https://livinintheuk.com/broadcast_en
Source:
- https://www.rfa.org/cantonese/about/2025/03/15/uk-embassy-china-protest/
- https://www.rfa.org/cantonese/hong-kong/2025/03/13/uk-petition-hong-kongers-activists-protest-china-super-embassy/
