英国批准中国在伦敦新建使馆，英媒：为斯塔默未来访华扫清关键障碍

Core Viewpoint - The UK government has approved the construction of a new Chinese embassy in East London, ending a prolonged debate that began in 2018 over alleged "espionage risks" associated with the project [1][2]. Group 1: Approval Process - The approval comes after the Chinese government purchased the site of the former Royal Mint near the Tower of London in 2018, a deal facilitated by a close associate of then-Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson [1]. - The local council, Tower Hamlets, initially blocked the application, leading to the UK government taking over the case [1]. - Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary Steve Reed stated that all substantive factors were considered in the decision, which is final unless successfully challenged in court [1]. Group 2: Political Context - The planning controversy reflects the UK's fluctuating stance towards China, complicated by U.S. involvement, with U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson expressing a desire for the U.S. to replace China in acquiring the site [2]. - Concerns were raised by other countries, including the Netherlands and Sweden, while some UK Conservative MPs propagated false claims about the embassy's design containing "secret rooms" [2]. - UK security agencies assessed that potential security risks could be managed, and the approval is seen as a means to consolidate China's dispersed diplomatic presence, enhancing security [2]. Group 3: Diplomatic Implications - The approval of the new embassy is expected to clear a significant hurdle for Prime Minister Keir Starmer's future visit to China [3].