Andrew McCaskill

This has been opposed by many politicians, both in Britain and the United States, who think this very large embassy could be used as a base for spying.

It's also an example of how China is using its increased power

to get what it wants.

For example, Britain also wants to rebuild its much, much smaller embassy in Beijing.

But China has denied Britain the right to do so unless it's able to build this much bigger embassy.

On the one hand, Starmer's made improving ties with China one of his main foreign policy priorities.

He's desperate for Chinese investment to meet his target to revive Britain's anemic economic growth.

But on the other hand, he's been told by lots of politicians that allowing China this position

Very large embassy is going to leave Britain vulnerable for potentially decades to come.