Why the green light shines for China's ‘super embassy’

Planning permission is to be granted finally for China’s new “super embassy” in London’s former Royal Mint building, according to reports.

- SEAN O'GRADY

It has been a protracted saga, spiced up with superpower rivalries and claims of spying. The long-running controversy is only one example of Britain’s ambiguous relationship with the resurgent Middle Kingdom.

What's the problem?

Maybe a certain amount of pride, seeing such a symbol of historic British financial power slipping away into foreign hands, especially one that many regard as hostile and malign.

Most specifically, given its proximity to the financial districts, law courts and parliament, there have been concerns that the bowels of the building could be used for intercepting communications cables. Heritage and security concerns have thus held it up for some years.

The proposed site is some 20,000 square metres and set the People's Republic back £255m on acquisition in 2018. It will be the largest embassy of any kind in Europe.

Must Britain accept these plans?

Given that the Chinese are similarly threatening to block the refurbishment of the British embassy in Beijing, a quid pro quo feels inevitable.

Will it be a base for espionage?