This article was originally published by Radio Free Asia and is reprinted with permission.
Hong Kong rights groups, Tibetans, Uyghurs and local residents gathered at the historic former Royal Mint Court on Saturday to rally against China’s proposed ‘mega-embassy’, voicing fears that Beijing would use the building to harass and monitor dissidents living abroad.
It’s the second mass protest in in five weeks at the site near the Tower of London. Organizers estimated that 6,000 people participated.
The protesters dispersed peacefully after the rally and no one was arrested.
The Chinese government purchased the historic building in 2018 with plans to build what would become Beijing’s largest diplomatic facility globally.
An architect working on the project revealed some of the details of the project, including a tunnel connecting two of the former Royal Mint buildings, basement rooms and accommodation for hundreds of staff.