China‘s new london embassy Raises Espionage Concerns as U.K. Weighs Closer Ties
LONDON - A newly constructed Chinese embassy in London, dubbed a “super embassy,” is sparking security concerns among British lawmakers who fear the facility could be used for espionage and the detention of dissidents.The embassy, built near prominent London landmarks, features rooms that have been blacked out on planning documents, prompting U.K. ministers too demand answers from Beijing regarding their intended use.
The controversy surrounding the embassy comes as the U.K. government, under the Labor administration, appears to be reassessing its relationship with China after years of strained relations stemming from security anxieties. This shift is occurring amidst a global balancing act between economic opportunities presented by China’s growth – its GDP grew by 5% last year,according to World Bank data - and geopolitical pressures from the United states,which views China’s rise with increasing caution.
Josephine Harmon, an assistant professor in political science at NU London, explains that the desire to engage with China’s vast market of 1.4 billion people is not unique to Britain. Both the U.K. and the European union are seeking to strengthen trade ties with Beijing to stimulate their own economies. However, the U.S. takes a more assertive stance towards china and opposes this approach,effectively asking European nations to choose between aligning with Washington or pursuing closer economic relations with Beijing.
“There is this question of, can you do the two at the same time?” Harmon said. “I think the view from the current U.S. administration is you can’t. America is saying, ‘You have to pick one side or the other.'”
The concerns about the embassy’s potential for misuse are not new. Reports have surfaced alleging that Chinese authorities have previously used diplomatic facilities to monitor and intimidate dissidents abroad.The blacked-out rooms within the new London embassy have fueled speculation that it might very well be equipped for similar activities, including the detention and interrogation of Chinese nationals living in the U.K. who are critical of the Beijing government.
