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China deplores UK's repeated delay on new Chinese Embassy approval

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Dec 03, 2025 09:35 PM

In response to a media inquiry about the UK government once again delaying its decision on whether to approve the building of a new Chinese embassy in London, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Wednesday that China's application for the project has long been completed, and there is no reason for the UK to again delay the approval. The so-called argument raised by the UK side is just untenable.

According to the AP, British government officials were due to make a decision on the embassy by December 10, but the Planning Inspectorate said the deadline has been postponed to January 20, 2026.

Lin commented during the press briefing on Wednesday that "China is gravely concerned and strongly deplores this. We will seriously assess the situation and defend our legitimate interests."

A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the UK said in a statement published on the embassy website on Tuesday local time that "we strongly deplore the UK side's repeated postponement of the decision on the planning application for the new Chinese Embassy project."

The Embassy spokesperson made the remarks when asked to comment on a question regarding reports that the UK Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government circulated a letter announcing that it has decided to further postpone the decision on the planning application for the new Chinese Embassy project from December 10 to January 20, 2026, because it needs to invite comments from relevant parties on the representations made by the British Foreign Office and the Home Office, as well as other parties.

"We strongly urge the UK side to approve our planning application quickly to avoid further undermining the mutual trust and cooperation between the two sides," the spokesperson said in the statement.