China has sharply criticized the United Kingdom for once again delaying approval of the new Chinese embassy project in London — a decision the British authorities have reportedly pushed back until December 10. At the same time, the UK has made its own request to revamp its embassy facilities in Beijing, further fueling Beijing’s frustration over the perceived lack of reciprocity.
Responding to media queries, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian expressed strong concern and firm opposition to the UK’s action, stating that the project has already been stalled for seven years. He emphasized that Beijing has shown utmost sincerity and patience throughout repeated rounds of communication, pressing for early approval of the embassy.
According to Lin, it is the British side that has shown a “total lack of spirit of contract, credibility and ethics.” He accused the UK of repeatedly delaying the project under various excuses and linking it with unrelated political issues. This, he said, is a clear politicization of a normal diplomatic matter, and runs contrary to London’s previous commitments and public remarks about improving China-UK relations.
Lin stressed that China calls once again on the United Kingdom to immediately fulfill its obligations and honor its promises. He warned that if the UK continues to stall, all resulting consequences will be borne solely by the British side.
The issue comes at a time when broader China-UK relations are already weighed down by strategic mistrust, technology restrictions, and differing geopolitical alignments. Beijing views embassy approvals as a matter of basic diplomatic protocol and equal treatment — not political bargaining.
With the UK now seeking a revamp of its own embassy in China, Beijing’s latest reaction signals growing impatience and a reminder that reciprocity remains a fundamental principle in state-to-state engagement.
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