US Officials Urge UK to Block China's London 'Super Embassy' Plans

Top US lawmakers have expressed strong opposition to China's plan for a new 'super embassy' in London, urging British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to block it during his upcoming meeting with President Trump. The proposed embassy, located at the historic Royal Mint site, is seen as a potential tool for Beijing to intimidate UK citizens and dissenters. In a letter to the new UK ambassador, congressional leaders warned that granting such a prominent diplomatic foothold would be an 'unearned reward' for the Chinese Communist Party, particularly amid ongoing human rights abuses in Hong Kong and against minorities in China. The embassy's approval process has faced scrutiny, with some UK officials previously denying the plans before they were resubmitted following Labour's electoral victory. Starmer's government has shown a more lenient approach to China than the previous administration, despite significant security concerns raised by US officials. A final decision on the embassy is anticipated in the coming months, with growing bipartisan pressure from the US.