PHOTOS: Thousands rally against China’s ‘mega-embassy’ in London

Protesters gather amid concerns that Beijing would use the building to monitor overseas dissidents.

By Matthew Leung, Ka Kit Chan and Jasmine Man for RFA Cantonese

LONDON — Hong Kong rights groups, Tibetans, Uyghurs and local residents gathered at the historic former Royal Mint Court on Saturday to rally against China’s proposed ‘mega-embassy’, voicing fears that Beijing would use the building to harass and monitor dissidents living abroad.

It’s the second mass protest in in five weeks at the site near the Tower of London. Organizers estimated that 6,000 people participated.

Video: Chinese 'mega-embassy' protest in London (RFA Cantonese)

The protesters dispersed peacefully after the rally and no one was arrested.

The Chinese government purchased the historic building in 2018 with plans to build what would become Beijing’s largest diplomatic facility globally.

An architect working on the project revealed some of the details of the project, including a tunnel connecting two of the former Royal Mint buildings, basement rooms and accommodation for hundreds of staff.

Police watch as protesters gather near the proposed site of the Chinese “mega-embassy” in London, March 15, 2025.
chinese-embassy-london-protest Police watch as protesters gather near the proposed site of the Chinese “mega-embassy” in London, March 15, 2025. (Matthew Leung/RFA Cantonese)
Signs depicting British Prime Minister Keir Starmer as well as Chinese President Xi Jinping as Winnie the Pooh await protesters at the proposed site of the Chinese “mega-embassy” in London, March 15, 2025.
chinese-embassy-london-protest Signs depicting British Prime Minister Keir Starmer as well as Chinese President Xi Jinping as Winnie the Pooh await protesters at the proposed site of the Chinese “mega-embassy” in London, March 15, 2025. (Ka Kit Chan/RFA Cantonese)
Police watch as protesters gather near the proposed site of the Chinese “mega-embassy” in London, March 15, 2025.
chinese-embassy-london-protest Police watch as protesters gather near the proposed site of the Chinese “mega-embassy” in London, March 15, 2025. (Matthew Leung/RFA Cantonese)
Protesters gather near the proposed site of the Chinese “mega-embassy” in London, March 15, 2025.
chinese-embassy-london-protest Protesters gather near the proposed site of the Chinese “mega-embassy” in London, March 15, 2025. (Ka Kit Chan/RFA Cantonese)
Police stand watch as protesters gather in front of the historic former Royal Mint Court — the proposed site of the Chinese “mega-embassy” — in London, March 15, 2025.
chinese-embassy-london-protest Police stand watch as protesters gather in front of the historic former Royal Mint Court — the proposed site of the Chinese “mega-embassy” — in London, March 15, 2025. (Matthew Leung/RFA Cantonese)
Protesters gather near the proposed site of the Chinese “mega-embassy” in London, March 15, 2025.
chinese-embassy-london-protest Protesters gather near the proposed site of the Chinese “mega-embassy” in London, March 15, 2025. (Ka Kit Chan/RFA Cantonese)
A protester holds a sign depicting British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Winnie the Pooh, which represents Chinese President Xi Jinping, at the proposed site of the Chinese “mega-embassy” in London, March 15, 2025.
chinese-embassy-london-protest A protester holds a sign depicting British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Winnie the Pooh, which represents Chinese President Xi Jinping, at the proposed site of the Chinese “mega-embassy” in London, March 15, 2025. (Ka Kit Chan/RFA Cantonese)