Key facts
- Britain approved China's plan for a new embassy on the site of Royal Mint Court in January.
- Local residents are challenging the approval in London's High Court.
- The Royal Mint Court Residents' Association (RMCRA) argues the embassy could be used for 'transnational repression'.
- RMCRA lawyers claim conditions on the embassy cannot be enforced due to diplomatic protections.
- The UK housing minister's lawyers state the RMCRA is attempting to re-argue points already considered.
Britain's decision to approve China's construction of a large embassy in London has been challenged in court by local residents. The Royal Mint Court Residents' Association (RMCRA) argues that officials failed to adequately consider the potential impact on protests and the monitoring or intimidation of Chinese dissidents. The RMCRA's lawyers contend that the new embassy could become a base for 'transnational repression' and that any imposed conditions would be unenforceable due to diplomatic immunity.