Written question asked by Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative) on Monday, 24 November 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 26 November 2025. It was answered by Seema Malhotra (Labour) on Monday, 1 December 2025 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Chinese Embassy: Planning

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Question 347 to 349 of Foreign Affairs Committee, Oral evidence: Work of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, HC 385, 3 November 2025, if he will place (a) a readout and (b) the minutes of the discussions between the Permanent Under-Secretary and the Chinese Government on the proposed Chinese Embassy in London in the Library.

Answer: The planning application has been called in by the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) who will make this decision independently in a quasi-judicial capacity. Consistent with long-standing policy, the Government does not routinely publish details of meetings between officials and external organisations.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 94014
Session: 2024-26
Related items: Work of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Tuesday, 8 July 2025
Parliamentary committees
House of Commons
Subjects: Greater London Planning Chinese Embassy
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk