According to sources who spoke to the Daily Mail, staff at the British Embassy in Beijing have faced repeated disruptions to their water supply and are working in deteriorating conditions as China allegedly blocks repairs and upgrades to the building. Officials say the moves appear intended to pressure London into signing off on China’s stalled “mega-embassy” project at Royal Mint Court near the City of London.
“Our water supply just goes ‘missing’ which is an interesting way of putting it” one embassy source told reporters. “They’re using our embassy to force us to do something about theirs. The building needs a complete overhaul, but China won’t let the work start. It’s not very diplomatic behavior.”
China purchased the Royal Mint Court site for £255 million in 2018, but its redevelopment plans have faced big pushback for national security reasons. Critics have warned that the location, just steps from key government and financial infrastructure, poses potential espionage risks. The project was previously rejected by Tower Hamlets Council in 2022 but was later resubmitted to the government for review.
Communities Secretary Steve Reed is expected to make a final decision soon, after a consultation process. Angela Rayner had initially “called in” the project last year.
Campaigners say the alleged pressure campaign in Beijing is another reason to reject the plan. “Absolutely outrageous behavior by the bullies of Beijing,” said Benedict Rogers, co-founder of Hong Kong Watch, in a post tagging Reed on X. “Yet another reason to say a mega ‘no’ to China’s mega-embassy.”
Conservative MP Iain Duncan Smith echoed those calls, warning that the government risked rewarding coercion. “It’s an appalling tactic, and yet the UK government seems prepared to give China this mega-embassy,” he said. “It’s embarrassing for them. I call it ‘Project Kowtow.’”
The diplomatic clash comes as the government faces separate questions over its handling of espionage cases involving China. Earlier this month, the prosecution of two men accused of spying for Beijing collapsed after Labour ministers withdrew key evidence that described China as an “enemy.”
