Britain is a ‘dwarf’ in global politics, says Beijing

Powell meets with Wang Yi; the Chinese general who defied Tiananmen Square orders

Observing China is the essential newsletter to understand the UK-PRC relationship, explained in the context of global developments.

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Whitehall is expected to approve Beijing’s request for a ‘mega-embassy’ in London, a move which would see the development of Europe’s largest embassy. The deadline for an official decision has now been moved for the third time, to 20th January next year. But the British public have been primed that this decision will likely go ahead for some weeks now. Last month, Richard Moore, former Head of MI6, published an op-ed in The Telegraph, an outlet known for its sober stance on Beijing, wherein he stated that it was ‘right and proper’ that the new embassy go ahead. Concerns over security issues remain, but Downing Street is now saying that the supersize embassy could actually be a benefit in that all of Beijing’s diplomatic operations will now be consolidated into one site; currently, the embassy has several buildings scattered around the capital.

The embassy is considered to be a crucial cog in bilateral relations between the United Kingdom (UK) and the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Recently, Beijing warned of ‘consequences’ if the embassy did not go ahead. Meanwhile, it is now officially confirmed that Sir Keir Starmer, Prime Minister, will visit the PRC next month, marking the first British prime ministerial visit to Beijing in seven years.

The China debate shows no sign of abating, however; vociferous opposition to Whitehall’s desire to develop a more ‘consistent’ approach to bilateral ties than the previous Conservative government persists.

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