China Cuts Water to UK Embassy Beijing Over London Mega-Embassy Dispute

China has been accused of cutting off the water supply to the British Embassy in Beijing as a pressure tactic to secure approval from the UK government for its controversial "mega-embassy" project in London. Despite a £100 million renovation contract awarded by the UK Foreign Office in 2020, China has refused to allow repairs to begin on the crumbling British Embassy building while its own expansive embassy plans remain stalled. The Chinese government's move is seen as a diplomatic coercion, with British diplomats forced to work in inadequate conditions, including using a squash court as a temporary office. The proposed London embassy, located at Royal Mint Court, has raised serious security concerns due to its proximity to sensitive underground communications and fears that it could be used to monitor Hong Kong dissidents in the UK. Although Tower Hamlets council initially rejected the plans in 2022, the application has been resubmitted and is expected to be approved soon by Secretary of State Steve Reed, prompting criticism from UK politicians and campaigners who describe China's tactics as bullying. Critics urge the UK government not to concede to pressure from Beijing, highlighting the ongoing diplomatic tensions surrounding the embassy dispute.