Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Aug. 22: Tibetans and allied communities in the UK are set to hold a major protest in London on August 23, against China’s controversial plan to build a “mega-embassy” at the former Royal Mint Court, right beside the Tower of London. The protest will begin at 2 PM outside the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Bedford Square and culminate at Whitehall, opposite 10 Downing Street, around 3:30-4:00 PM.
Free Tibet, a UK-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) which has been active against the proposed Chinese mega-embassy said the demonstration aims to raise public awareness about the embassy plan, which they describe as a serious security risk to the UK, a threat to London’s status as an international financial hub, and an affront to local freedoms. The proposed site, critics argue, is less a diplomatic mission than a “fortified spy hub” that would house over 200 staff flats and surveillance facilities, positioned at the doorstep of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Since 2019, Tibetans, Uyghurs, Hong Kongers, Mongolians, Taiwanese, Chinese dissidents, and local residents in Tower Hamlets have mobilized in strong opposition to the project, with previous protests drawing thousands. For Tibetans in the UK, the stakes are deeply personal. With Beijing’s policies of repression and surveillance in Tibet, there is fear that the embassy could extend China’s reach into Britain, enabling intimidation and harassment of exiled communities.
“China’s proposed mega-embassy is more than just an oversized diplomatic building—it is a multidimensional threat,” said Free Tibet. The organisers further noted that if built, it could expand Beijing’s surveillance and transnational repression right here in the UK. Tibetans who sought refuge in Britain, hoping to live without fear, may once again find themselves living under the shadow of the same oppression they escaped.
UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has already pressed Beijing for clarity, giving the Chinese government until August 20 to explain why key details of the embassy plans were blacked out in official documents. The redactions have further fuelled concerns among lawmakers, law enforcement, councillors, and rights groups, who warn the project could endanger national security and community safety.
The march will take place along pedestrian pavements, with the planned route stretching from Bedford Square through Russell Square, Southampton Row, Trafalgar Square, and ending at Whitehall. Protesters have been urged to join in holding placards and banners, chanting slogans, and distributing leaflets to amplify public awareness and pressure the government to reject the project.
Organisers said this weekend’s action is a critical moment, stating, “We are so close to seeing these plans rejected for good. The more visible we can be in our opposition, the stronger our message. Together, we can defend London, democracy, and freedoms from China’s authoritarian expansion.”
