China has resubmitted plans to build a new large embassy in London, a contested project that could test how the new Labour government handles relations with the world's second largest economy after years of diplomatic tensions and disputes, APA reports citing Reuters.
Beijing sent a new planning application to Tower Hamlets council to build the embassy near the Tower of London last month, almost two weeks after the new government took power on July 5, according to documents on the council's website.
The planning documents said the council's decision to reject the proposals in December 2022 on security grounds and the impact on residents was "without merit" and had "no basis in planning policy".
China missed a deadline last year to appeal against the decision when there were tensions with the then-Conservative Party-led government over suspicions about Chinese cyber-espionage and human rights. But China always had the option to resubmit a fresh application.
Although the planning application will initially be handled by Tower Hamlets council, the national government could get involved if the proposal is rejected again and China appeals.
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