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A decision on whether to sanction China's request for a new large diplomatic complex in London has been deferred once more by the administration.

Housing Secretary Steve Reed had been due to rule on the proposal by 21 October, but the cut-off date has been extended to 10 December.

It is the second occasion the authorities has deferred a decision on the contentious property, whose placement has sparked worries it could pose an espionage risk.

A determination had first been expected by 9 September after government officials assumed authority of the procedure from Tower Hamlets, the regional government, last year.

Protection Issues Highlighted

China bought the location of the planned new embassy, at Royal Mint Court, close to the Tower of London, for £255m in 2018. At 20,000 square metres, the suggested development would be the largest embassy in Europe assuming approval.

The pending decision on whether to approve the recent embassy was earlier under detailed review because of concerns about the protection ramifications of the scheme, including the placement, size and design of the structure.

The location is adjacent to data transmission cables transmitting communications to and from financial institutions in the City of London. Apprehensions have been brought up that China representatives could employ the site to access the lines and listen in.

Latest Changes

More concerns have been brought up in the last several weeks about the character of the danger presented by Beijing, following the failure of the case against two men charged of espionage for China.

The Crown Prosecution Service unforeseeably dropped charges against government studies analyst Christopher Cash, 30, and university researcher Christopher Berry, 33, last month. Both men contest the allegations.

Previous Delays

The authorities' initial postponement was sought by Reed's predecessor Angela Rayner, after she inquired China to clarify why particular spaces within its development papers had been blanked out for "protection issues".

Planning consultants representing the China consulate had replied that China "does not believe that, as a basic concept, it is necessary or appropriate to supply detailed room arrangements".

Rayner had written back to parties engaged with the discussion, including China, the Met police and a neighborhood group, to allow additional time to respond to the proposals and placing the deadline later to 21 October.

Present Circumstances

Reed, who took over the residential portfolio following Rayner's departure last month, has now sought additional time before a conclusive determination must be reached.

In a correspondence reviewed by media outlets, the accommodation ministry said extra time was needed due to the "thorough quality" of responses collected previously.

It mentioned that it was not able to set a new deadline for new responses until it receives outstanding replies from the International Relations Department and Home Office.

Proposed Facilities

The planned facility would contain administrative areas, a substantial underground space, residences for 200 staff, and a fresh passageway to link the Embassy House to a separate building on the diplomatic campus.

Political Reactions

Beijing's proposal for the embassy was first refused by Tower Hamlets Council in 2022 over security and protection worries.

It resubmitted an same proposal to the authority in August 2024, one month after the administration changed.

The China Consulate in the UK has earlier stated the recent development would improve "reciprocal advantageous partnership" between China and Britain.

In a fresh official communication published alongside Reed's letter clarifying his motivations for the latest delay, a China diplomat said oppositions to the site were "either unsubstantiated or unwarranted".

Critical Perspectives

The Opposition Party said Labour ministers should reject the request, and charged them of trying to "suppress the warnings about the threats to state security" created by the consulate location.

The Liberal Democrats also called for the proposal to be stopped, urging the administration to "resist China".

Diplomatic Affairs commentator Calum Miller said it would be "irrational" for ministers to permit the diplomatic project to move forward, after cautions from the head of MI5 on Thursday about the danger of Beijing spying.

Security Worries

A ex-top counselor to Boris Johnson said MI5 and MI6 had cautions him China was "attempting to construct a spy centre below the embassy," when he was working at Downing Street.

Speaking on a political podcast, the consultant said the organizations had advised him that allowing the embassy to be constructed would be "a highly unwise choice".

In his regular presentation, the security director said "Beijing government agents" represented a national security threat to the UK "each day".

He mentioned that the UK required to "protect itself firmly" against China, while also being able to "seize the opportunities" from maintaining connections with Beijing.