Beijing will exploit its planned “super-embassy” in London to gather intelligence on Britain, a former CIA director has warned.
John Brennan, who led the US agency from 2013 to 2017, said British security services face a tough challenge given China’s aggressive pursuit of sensitive information.
Speaking to LBC, he said: “MI5 and MI6 are going to have their hands full because the Chinese are very rapacious in terms of their appetite for information, whether it be on security issues, financial matters, technology and so on.”
Mr Brennan described Chinese intelligence operatives as “highly technologically proficient” and noted they routinely utilise diplomatic premises to conduct collection activities against host nations.
The Telegraph has revealed unredacted blueprints for Beijing’s proposed London embassy, showing a network of 208 hidden rooms located next to highly sensitive communications infrastructure.
Concerns have been raised over an underground chamber located next to fibre-optic cables connecting the City of London and Canary Wharf, two of Britain’s most important financial hubs.
The former CIA chief warned that China would be “very aggressive” in using both the embassy’s diplomatic status and its strategic location to gather intelligence on Britain.
He said: “They have very strong capabilities, they’re highly technologically proficient, and they use their embassy’s diplomatic presence to carry out these types of collection activities against countries such as the UK.”
Mr Brennan described Chinese intelligence operatives as ‘highly technologically proficient’
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Mr Brennan urged Sir Keir Starmer to exercise extreme caution over Chinese activities on British soil.
He said: “So I would tell the Prime Minister that he needs to be very, very prudent and judicious and cautious as far as what he allows the Chinese to do inside the UK.”
He also suggested Sir Keir could limit the number of diplomatic staff allowed at the embassy, while acknowledging that blocking the project entirely could spark a serious bilateral dispute.
Mr Brennan also called for more resources for Britain’s intelligence agencies, warning that their workload would increase significantly.
CHINA’S SUPER-EMBASSY – READ THE LATEST:
Sir Keir Starmer has been urged to exercise extreme caution over Chinese activities
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If approved, the facility would become the largest Chinese embassy anywhere in Europe
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CBREThe White House expressed serious concern over the embassy plans on Tuesday, with the Prime Minister expected to make a decision before the January 20 deadline.
The proposed development has faced criticism across the political spectrum.
Labour backbenchers have condemned the plans, while Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel accused ministers of “kowtowing” to China.
Speaking to GB News, Ms Patel branded Sir Keir “Beijing’s useful idiot in Britain” and claimed his administration “cannot be trusted with our national security”.
If approved, the facility would become the largest Chinese embassy anywhere in Europe, consolidating several existing Chinese government buildings scattered across the capital into a single site.
Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel accused ministers of ‘kowtowing’ to China
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PASir Keir is set to visit Beijing later this month for talks with President Xi Jinping, despite Labour’s 2024 manifesto pledge to review Britain’s relationship with China.
A potential legal challenge could still block the project entirely.
The Royal Mint Court Residents’ Association has suggested it could seek a judicial review as early as 3rd February, two weeks after the decision deadline.
Legal action could push construction past the 2029 general election, with both the Conservatives and Reform UK pledging to withdraw support for the embassy if they come to power while the case is unresolved.
