UK court rejects challenge against new Chinese embassy in London

An English court has dismissed a legal challenge brought by local residents and campaign groups seeking to block the construction of a new Chinese embassy in central London. The project, described as a "mega" embassy, had faced significant opposition due to concerns over security and potential harassment of Chinese dissidents.

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Beijing thinks this judgement is the final word. It isn’t. The appeal is already in the works.

Campaigners, supported by opposition politicians and Hong Kong pro-democracy activists, argued that the government had failed to adequately consider their fears. These included the heightened risk of terror attacks, espionage activities, and the potential for dissidents to be targeted near the historic Tower of London site.

However, the High Court's judges ruled that the housing minister had acted lawfully in granting planning permission in January. The judgment focused solely on the legality of the government's decision-making process, not the merits of the planning application itself.

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If they expect us to roll over and allow our own capital to become a CCP power centre, they have completely misjudged the strength of opposition to this mega embassy.

Despite the setback, the Royal Mint Court Residents Association announced its intention to seek permission to appeal the ruling, aiming to bring the case before the UK Supreme Court. They have also relaunched crowdfunding efforts to cover legal expenses.

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The price we pay when we kowtow to China is in human lives.

Luke de Pulford, head of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, stated that the legal battle is far from over, criticizing the judgment as a miscalculation of the opposition's resolve. Former Conservative leader Ian Duncan Smith echoed these sentiments, pledging to raise "China policy" with the new Prime Minister and asserting that appeasing China comes at a human cost. Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Chloe Cheung emphasized that the case is about ensuring the safety of targeted dissidents within Britain.

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not just about a building but whether dissidents targeted by the Chinese authorities can truly feel safe in Britain.