Why a Chinese ‘mega embassy’ is not such a worry for British spies

The Guardian • January 19, 2026 • world

Key Points:

MI5 views the consolidation of China’s seven diplomatic sites into one "mega embassy" near the Tower of London as potentially beneficial for monitoring, arguing that modern espionage relies less on physical embassy presence.
The new embassy, expected to house over 200 Chinese nationals including undeclared intelligence officers, is seen as a "magnet for attention and surveillance," making serious espionage activities more challenging.
Critics worry the larger size of the embassy could increase Chinese interference, citing the US closure of a Chinese consulate in Houston over espionage and coercion concerns as a precedent.
Reports of a “hidden chamber” near critical internet cabling in the embassy’s floor plans have raised security concerns, though officials downplay the risk, noting that traffic