(MENAFN) Plans for China’s massive new embassy complex in London, often described as a “super embassy,” have been put on hold after British authorities raised concerns about undisclosed details in the design and Beijing declined to provide further explanations, according to reports.

Intended to be the largest Chinese diplomatic compound in Europe, the project has already run into several administrative hurdles since its permit request was first submitted in 2022.

On Saturday, a spokesperson for the Chinese mission in the UK expressed “serious concern” over the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s decision to postpone approval. The spokesperson insisted that Beijing had observed all “customary diplomatic practices” in its application process and had fully addressed questions from UK officials.

“It is an international obligation of the host country to provide support and facilitation for the construction of diplomatic premises,” the spokesperson argued, pointing out that Britain is also preparing a new embassy building in Beijing.

Reports on Friday indicated that China declined to “identify… the rationale and justification” for the “greyed out” Cultural Exchange Building and Embassy House featured in the site plan, despite a request for clarification from Housing Secretary Angela Rayner.

Chinese representatives earlier stated that they did not consider it “necessary or appropriate to provide full internal layout plans… in order to understand what has been permitted.”

Shortly after, the Ministry of Housing announced that its decision on the embassy project would be postponed until October 21.

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