Some protesters carried satirical placards depicting Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in compromising poses with Winnie the Pooh, a character frequently used online to mock Chinese President Xi Jinping
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch led hundreds of protesters in central London on Monday in a last-ditch effort to block China’s proposed new mega-embassy, as security concerns and human rights fears dominated a heated demonstration ahead of a government decision due this week.
The protest took place outside the former Royal Mint site, positioned between the City of London and Canary Wharf, a location critics argue is highly sensitive because of its proximity to major financial institutions and infrastructure. Demonstrators were told that plain-clothes Chinese police officers were believed to be present among the crowd, adding to an already charged atmosphere.
Chants of “mega embassy, mega mistake”, “don’t bow to China” and “no mega embassy” echoed through the area as protesters waved placards and raised their middle fingers toward the vast site. The demonstration marked what campaigners described as their final opportunity to influence the government before ministers decide on the controversial planning application on Tuesday.
Opponents of the embassy fear the scale and location of the development could allow it to be used as a hub for espionage, while members of dissident communities warn it could also become a base for intimidation and repression beyond China’s borders. Many of those present belonged to Chinese, Uighur and Tibetan diaspora groups, as well as Hong Kongers who have fled the territory following Beijing’s crackdown on pro-democracy activism.
Taking to a makeshift stage beside the site, Badenoch told the crowd she stood firmly with them. “I stand with you,” she said. “I will always fight for freedom. I am calling on the government to stop this decision.” She added that allowing such a large embassy to proceed would send the wrong message at a time of strained relations with Beijing. “We do not want a country that spies on our MPs having a super embassy right here,” she said. “I will do everything in my power to continue speaking on your behalf.”
Several MPs from across the political spectrum joined the protest, underlining the breadth of opposition. Reform UK MP Danny Kruger, Liberal Democrat MP Bobby Dean and Conservative MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith were among those who addressed the crowd. Sir Iain urged the government to “wake up” to what he described as the growing threat posed by China and said he was not reassured by what he saw as a lack of visible intervention from UK security services.
Some protesters carried satirical placards depicting Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in compromising poses with Winnie the Pooh, a character frequently used online to mock Chinese President Xi Jinping. The imagery reflected wider anger at what demonstrators see as the government’s willingness to prioritise diplomatic engagement over human rights and security concerns.
The protest comes as the government is widely expected to approve the embassy plans, reportedly ahead of a planned visit to China by the prime minister later this month. Ministers have argued that diplomatic facilities are subject to robust security assessments, but campaigners remain unconvinced.
Among those attending was Chloe Cheung, a 20-year-old activist with the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong, who said she already experiences intimidation in the UK. Cheung is subject to an arrest warrant issued by Hong Kong authorities and has a HK$1 million bounty on her head. “It’s devastating that I have been fighting for democracy, which is one of the British values,” she told Sky News. “I have no intention to harm Britain, but I have been harassed and threatened every day because of speaking out for democracy.”
As ministers prepare to make their decision, the protest underscored the growing tension between Britain’s diplomatic engagement with China and mounting domestic pressure to take a tougher stance on security and human rights.
