The China embassy in London has received formal approval from the British government this week. The decision removes a major obstacle before Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s planned China visit.
Approval clears diplomatic path
Britain approved the China embassy in London on Tuesday after years of discussion. Officials viewed the move as historic for UK-China diplomatic engagement.
The approval follows a three-year delay linked to local opposition. Analysts expected the decision to influence Starmer’s travel plans.
Details of the new embassy site
The China embassy in London will cover roughly 700,000 square feet. This equals about 65,030 square metres of total space.
Construction will take place at Royal Mint Court near the Tower of London. The site previously served as the headquarters of Britain’s coin maker.
The new China embassy in London will replace the current central London location. Officials confirmed no changes to the site’s footprint size.
Links to Starmer’s China visit
British media reported Starmer may visit Beijing and Shanghai from January 29 to 31. Neither London nor Beijing has officially confirmed the trip.
Observers said approval of the China embassy in London remained a key condition. The visit would carry symbolic weight for bilateral relations.
Reciprocal diplomatic efforts
The UK government is also seeking redevelopment approval for its embassy in Beijing. Both sides aim to modernize diplomatic facilities.
If confirmed, Starmer would become the first British leader to visit China since 2018. The decision marks a careful yet hopeful step in diplomacy.
