East Michigan News

Chairman John Moolenaar of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and China, along with Rep. Chris Smith, Chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), have addressed a letter to Lord Peter Mandelson, the UK's Ambassador to the United States. The letter raises concerns about plans for constructing what would be China's largest embassy in Europe at London's Royal Mint Court.

The correspondence was sent ahead of an anticipated meeting between UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and U.S. President Donald Trump. It highlights worries that allowing such a diplomatic presence for China could be seen as rewarding the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) despite its record on human rights and political suppression.

Chairman Moolenaar remarked, "The U.K. must not reward the Chinese Communist Party with greater diplomatic influence while it continues to engage in repressive actions against its own people and against those who dare to speak out." He emphasized this issue's implications for international security and democratic values.

Rep. Smith expressed similar concerns: “The Chinese Communist government gets the largest embassy in Europe while a U.K. citizen is unjustly jailed in Hong Kong, U.K. residents are spied on and harassed by Chinese agents, and U.K. consumers are offered products made with the forced labor of Uyghurs and other predominately Muslim ethnic minorities."

The letter also underscores issues like political detentions in Hong Kong, including that of UK citizen Jimmy Lai, forced labor practices in China, and transnational repression activities by China across Europe.

It urges Prime Minister Starmer to prioritize efforts towards securing Jimmy Lai's release during his discussions with President Trump.

In closing, Moolenaar and Smith reaffirm their commitment to maintaining strong US-UK relations while urging Lord Mandelson to convey these concerns to Prime Minister Starmer during his visit to Washington.