China is on the cusp of constructing the biggest embassy in Europe– right in central London– despite a growing chorus of concern it could be used for a number of spying operations. So why is Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expected to approve the project? And how worried should we really be?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Cindy Yu, columnist and contributing editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.
Geraldine Scott, assistant political editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Micaela Arneson.

Read more:

Further listening: Will 2026 be the year of China?

Clips: The Mirror, Daily Express, Sky News, Channel 4.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Is China's mega-embassy a mega-spy base?

The Story