China's plans for huge new embassy in London shot down by local council - Local council votes unanimously to reject proposal
China's proposal to build a new embassy in London, which would have been one of the largest in the UK, has been rejected by the local council. The plan included demolishing the existing embassy in Marylebone to make way for a modern complex featuring a 28-meter-high tower, a 24-hour consular office, and a cultural center. However, Westminster City Council denied the application citing concerns over the impact on the local area, including increased security measures, traffic, and the potential for the embassy to become a target for protests. The decision reflects ongoing tensions between the UK and China, with local residents and officials expressing worries about the implications of such a significant foreign presence in a densely populated residential area. The council's decision can be appealed, but for now, China's ambitions for a grand embassy in London have been curtailed.
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