Johnson gave China embassy the go-ahead in 2018 letter

Boris Johnson approved China's super-embassy proposal in 2018 and welcomed the fact it would represent "China's largest overseas diplomatic investment" anywhere in the world, the Guardian can disclose.

- Eleni Courea

In a letter to Wang Yi, China's most senior diplomat, Johnson gave his consent for Royal Mint Court to house a sprawling diplomatic complex in May 2018. The Chinese government bought the 20,000 sq metre site for £255m that same month.

The disclosure demonstrates that the Conservatives under Theresa May gave Beijing assurances that it could proceed with the proposal, which is still in limbo seven years later after attracting huge political and local backlash.

Johnson's letter, sent while he was foreign secretary, was a response to Wang setting out details of the planned project in April.

"I am pleased to confirm that I have today agreed to grant consent for Royal Mint Court to be designated as diplomatic premises, on the basis of your assurances and the further detail provided by the Chinese ambassador to London," Johnson wrote. "I welcome the fact this is China's largest overseas diplomatic investment. The redevelopment of our embassy in Beijing will be one of our largest overseas diplomatic investments."