The proposed Chinese 'mega embassy' near London's iconic Tower has sparked a wave of concern among politicians, but the espionage community offers a different perspective. They argue that the worries surrounding this development are overblown and misplaced.
The domestic Security Service, MI5, sees an opportunity in consolidating China's seven diplomatic sites into one. But more importantly, they believe that modern technology and the evolving nature of espionage mean that embassies are becoming less crucial.
Spies have traditionally operated from diplomatic posts, often disguised as officials or trade representatives. If China receives planning permission to build a new embassy complex at Royal Mint Court, it will employ over 200 individuals, all Chinese nationals, from the ambassador down to the kitchen staff.
Among them will be a small number of undeclared officers from China's ministry of state security (MSS) and military intelligence. These officers will act as 'radars', identifying potential contacts and getting to know people, which is standard intelligence work.
However, engaging in 'serious espionage' will be challenging for these officers, as any embassy is a magnet for attention and surveillance. A single site makes it easier for MI5 to monitor Chinese officials' activities across the UK, if necessary.
It's also a psychological tactic, a subtler version of the embassy-monitoring techniques employed by China and Russia in their own countries. British diplomats stationed in Beijing or Moscow already operate under the assumption that they are constantly watched and digitally monitored.
"You have to assume your life is not your own," says John Foreman, a former UK defence attache to Moscow. He recalls trying to outmaneuver his Russian counterparts, who would tail him wherever he went, whether on foot or by car.
Russian agents would use thinly concealed listening devices and track his movements on his phone. The goal was to exert pressure and compromise judgment. Some diplomats became so intimidated that they refused to leave the embassy, which was precisely the desired effect.
Critics of the planned Chinese embassy argue that its size is a key concern. Luke de Pulford, executive director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, believes that more state employees from China will lead to increased interference.
He points to the US decision to shut a Chinese consulate in Houston in 2020, which was accused of intellectual property theft and coercing Chinese citizens.
The Daily Telegraph also raised concerns about the embassy's floor plans, which were heavily redacted. The newspaper obtained the full plans, revealing a 'hidden chamber' near high-speed internet cables, suggesting a potential risk of tapping.
However, security experts believe these concerns are exaggerated. The Royal Mint Court site is conveniently located between London's financial districts, and officials argue that traffic and cabling can be easily rerouted or removed if needed.
Recent espionage incidents in the UK show that China's intelligence operations are not solely based in embassies. Much of Beijing's spying activity originates from China, as seen in the Salt Typhoon hacking incident. Pressure on researchers at Sheffield Hallam University to halt human rights research was also conducted in Beijing.
Three recent attempts by China to interfere in Westminster parliament were all outside the embassy. Christine Lee, an Anglo-Chinese lawyer, was accused of cultivating relationships with influential figures and issued an MI5 warning. A parliamentary aide, Christopher Cash, was accused of passing sensitive information to a friend in China, but the prosecution collapsed.
Two recruitment consultants based in China, Amanda Qiu and Shirly Shen, were accused by MI5 of using LinkedIn to recruit MPs and peers for insider information.
A former senior Whitehall official emphasizes that the embassy is just a small part of the overall espionage threat from China. We must be vigilant and understand when to be permissive and when to assertively address the real dangers.
