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Written question asked by Lord Rogan (Ulster Unionist Party) on Wednesday, 21 January 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 4 February 2026. It was answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Labour) on Friday, 6 February 2026 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.


China: Embassies

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with the government of China about the redevelopment of the UK embassy in Beijing; and whether they discussed the construction of a new Chinese embassy in London in those talks.

Answer

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer provided on 4 April 2025 to Question HL6121, and to the subsequent statement made to the House by Baroness Anderson of Stoke‑on‑Trent on 26 January setting out the decision taken by the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

We have been clear throughout that the planning decision was for the Secretary of State at MHCLG to make in an independent, quasi-judicial capacity.

While it has been clear for a number of years that we need to rebuild our own Embassy in Beijing, which is in a poor condition and not suitable for managing a diplomatic relationship with a country as consequential to UK and global interests as China, that cannot be, and has not been, factored into this planning decision by the Secretary of State at MHCLG.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL13803
Session
2024-26
Related items
Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission
Friday, 4 April 2025
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects
China Embassies
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk