UK Demands China Explain London Embassy Redactions

UK Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has given China two weeks to explain why substantial portions of its plans for a new embassy in London, including basement areas, are redacted. The planned embassy at Royal Mint Court has raised concerns among officials, residents, and human rights campaigners about potential surveillance and intimidation, especially in light of Beijing's human rights record and recent reports of bounties on Hong Kongers in the UK. Rayner's letter requests either unredacted designs or a clear justification for the redactions, underscoring the principle of public transparency in planning permissions. The Home Office and Foreign Office have both requested a 'hard perimeter' for added security, which could require further consultation. The government is expected to decide on the embassy project by September 9. China has not yet agreed to modify its designs, and the controversy continues to draw protest and international attention.