In a heated exchange in the House of Commons, Shadow Home Office Minister Alicia Kearns has raised grave concerns over the Chinese Communist Party’s plans for a major expansion of its London embassy. According to Kearns, unredacted documents reveal the Chinese government intends to construct a sprawling complex with over 200 secret rooms and a hidden chamber just one metre away from critical communication cables serving the City of London and the British public.
Kearns warned that this would allow the Chinese to potentially access “millions of British people’s emails and financial data”, effectively creating “a launchpad for economic warfare against our nation.” She pressed the government to confirm if they were aware of these plans and whether they have sought an explanation from the Chinese authorities.
The Labour MP also drew attention to the broader context, noting that UK exports to China have declined by 23% despite Labour’s promises of a new relationship. Kearns argued that “surrendering all security for Chinese trade was always a bad policy, but surrendering all security while exports plummet is frankly insanity.”
In response, the government minister, James Pennycook, provided what Kearns described as a “technocratic history lesson”, rather than directly addressing her concerns. Kearns has now called on the government to reject the Chinese embassy’s expansion application, citing the potential national security risks.
The proposed plans for the Chinese embassy have sparked significant alarm, with critics warning that they could potentially enable widespread espionage and undermine the UK’s economic and digital infrastructure. As the government considers the application, the debate is set to intensify, with both sides grappling with the complex balance between diplomatic relations, economic interests, and national security.