China's Mega Embassy in London: From British Mint to Dragon's Domain, US Fears Espionage

• China is building a massive embassy at Royal Mint Court in London, a site where British coins were minted until 1967, sparking geopolitical concerns.
• The British government approved the mega embassy after delays, despite warnings from the US and critics about potential espionage and proximity to sensitive fiber optic cables.
• The new embassy, expected to be Europe's largest Chinese diplomatic mission, was acquired by China in 2018 for approximately 225-255 million pounds.
• China aims to consolidate diplomatic, economic, and cultural operations in a single, large complex, symbolizing its growing global influence.
• US intelligence and British MPs raised national security concerns, fearing the embassy could become a hub for espionage and data surveillance, though British agencies deny immediate risk.

Why It Matters: China's new mega embassy in London, on a historic British site, raises US and UK security concerns.