“Today, Everything Is Wrong”: Thousands Protest China’s Mega-Embassy Plans in London
More than 3,000 demonstrators took to the streets of East London on Saturday, 3rd May, to protest plans for what would become China’s largest diplomatic outpost in Europe. The site in question: the historic Royal Mint Court, just steps away from the Tower of London.
Organised by a broad coalition of Hongkongers, Tibetans, Uyghurs, pro-democracy Chinese, and human rights allies, the protest was a show of growing public resistance to what many see as the expansion of Chinese authoritarianism onto British soil.
Symbol of Intimidation, Not Diplomacy
The Chinese government’s proposal to turn the Royal Mint Court into a massive embassy complex has sparked alarm among diaspora communities and rights campaigners. Critics argue the Mega-Embassy would be far more than a diplomatic centre – rather, a looming symbol of Beijing’s global surveillance reach and political coercion. “This isn’t just bricks and mortar,” said one protest organiser. “This is about presence. This is about intimidation. It sends a message to those who fled China’s authoritarianism: we are still watching.” Protesters planned a highly visible march from the Royal Mint, across Tower Bridge, and back, hoping to engage the wider public and draw media attention to their cause. But at 10.25 a.m. on the day of the event, the Metropolitan Police abruptly imposed severe restrictions – invoking Sections 12 and 14 of the Public Order Act – and rerouted the demonstration to a backstreet behind the Royal Mint, drastically limiting its visibility.
Police Crackdown Draws Backlash
Organisers say they were taken by surprise by the last-minute restrictions, especially after receiving written assurance just the day before from police that no pre-event conditions would be imposed. “Rather than addressing the situation with appropriate public safety measures, authorities instead chose to heavily restrict the right to rally,” the organising committee said in a post-event statement. “Effectively placing legal pressure on participants to exercise their freedom of expression in a free society.” The crowd’s frustration only deepened after police arrested a volunteer first-aider, citing the possession of medical scissors and deviation from the restricted protest area. Human rights observers and medics have since condemned the arrest as a breach of international humanitarian norms, which protect medical neutrality during public demonstrations. “This act blatantly violates international humanitarian norms which protect the neutrality of medical personnel during public demonstrations,” the organisers stated. The protest’s rallying cry – “Today, Everything Is Wrong!” – captured the prevailing sense of betrayal among participants, many of whom fled China or Hong Kong in search of democratic freedoms in the UK.
Civil Liberties Under Pressure
The heavy-handed policing has fuelled speculation about political pressure, with many questioning whether the UK government is yielding to China’s will to smooth diplomatic relations. Protest leaders say this sets a worrying precedent. “This is happening in the UK – in a country that supposedly values freedom of expression. If these are the conditions for protests now, what happens when the Mega-Embassy is built?” one activist asked.
Despite the disruptions, protesters remained peaceful and resolute. Banners and placards bearing slogans such as “No Chinese Mega Embassy”, “No to National Security Risks – No to China’s New Mega Embassy”, “No More Silence, No More Fear – CCP is Not Welcome Here!”, “Bow to China, Lose Forever”, and “Say No to China’s Transnational Repression” lined the streets around the Royal Mint Court, while community leaders delivered impassioned speeches through megaphones.
“This Is Just the Beginning”
The 3rd May demonstration follows earlier protests on 8th February and 15th March, which also drew significant crowds and featured speeches by UK Members of Parliament critical of the embassy plans. Organisers have vowed that the resistance will not end here. “If the plan for the biggest embassy in Europe is ultimately approved, the people of Hong Kong and all communities oppressed by the Chinese Communist Party would refuse to stay silent. Do not compromise! Today is only the beginning of resistance. This place will, for the foreseeable future, remain a battleground.” As the UK government prepares to make a final decision on the China Mega-Embassy proposal, protesters and human rights advocates are making one thing clear: they will not stand by quietly while authoritarian influence takes root in the heart of London.
[FULL STATEMENT]
May 3rd Anti-China Mega Embassy Protest Statement: “Today, Everything Is Wrong!”
In response to the protest held on 3rd May where 3,000 people gathered and marched against the proposal of the China Mega Embassy at the former Royal Mint, the organisers would like to issue a statement regarding the events that unfolded on-site.
The Metropolitan Police had previously acknowledged to Members of Parliament that if the number of demonstrators exceeded 500, local traffic and safety would be significantly impacted. However, rather than addressing the situation with appropriate public safety measures, authorities instead chose to heavily restrict the right to rally – effectively placing legal pressure on participants to exercise their freedom of expression in a free society.
On 2nd May, police had confirmed via email that no pre-event conditions would be imposed on the protest, and even claimed to support the public’s right to freedom of assembly and expression as written by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
Ironically, at 9 a.m. on 3rd May, police invoked Sections 12 and 14 of the Public Order Act to unilaterally change the approved protest route and restrict the demonstration area, citing the reason that this march would potentially cause serious disruption to the life of the community.
The original route approved on 2nd May was set to march from the Royal Mint via Tower Bridge and back, aiming to disseminate the message to the public along the way. But instead, the route restricted by the police was to circulate around the back of the Royal Mint, with little to no interaction with the public at all. Organisers proposed alternative solutions on-site – including opening parts of the already designated protest zone on the road – but were flatly rejected.
Furthermore, police unjustifiably arrested a volunteer first-aider during the march, citing the possession of medical scissors and deviation from the designated route as reasons. This act blatantly violates international humanitarian norms which protect the neutrality of medical personnel during public demonstrations.
This series of acts, which occurred in the UK, will only lead to the belief that the police are under strong political pressure from China. Nevertheless, the Met has once again reaffirmed that this site could not accommodate large protests without imposing unreasonable conditions to suppress freedom of expression.
Despite this deeply unreasonable treatment, we solemnly declare that: If the plan for the biggest embassy in Europe is ultimately approved, the people of Hong Kong and all communities oppressed by the Chinese Communist Party would refuse to stay silent. Do not compromise!
Today is only the beginning of resistance. Because this place will, for the foreseeable future, remain a battleground.
Tsering Passang
