More than 1,000 people are planning to demonstrate against China’s proposed ‘super embassy’ near the Tower of London on Saturday.
China's proposal to turn the former Royal Mint building into Europe's largest embassy was rejected by Tower Hamlets council before Secretary of State Angela Rayner called them in and announced she would make the final decision in October.
The plans were also initially opposed by the Metropolitan Police, on the grounds that protests outside could impact public safety and block roads due to there being too little space outside the embassy.
However, the force later dropped its objection.
The protest comes ahead of a planning inquiry which is due to start on Tuesday.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Foreign Secretary David Lammy have both indicated their support for the controversial scheme.
They said in a letter last month that it was important for countries to have “functioning diplomatic premises in each other’s capitals”.
The Chinese Government bought the former Royal Mint seven years ago to create one of the largest embassies in the world.
Tower Hamlets councillors rejected the scheme despite planning officers describing it as “well-designed” and recommending approval.
They cited the potential harm to surrounding heritage sites, such as the Tower of London, security fears and the impact of the development on residents living in the neighbouring Royal Mint Estate.
Campaigners voiced their protest due to China’s repression of the Muslim Uyghur people. Tower Hamlets is the local authority with the highest proportion of Muslim residents in the country at almost 40 per cent.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan upheld the council’s decision in February 2023 and China then missed the deadline to appeal to the planning inspectorate, apparently ending the saga.
However the proposals were resubmitted last August.
The inquiry will take place between February 11 and February 18, before Ms Rayner makes a final decision.
