Britain's government has green-lit plans for China to build a "mega" embassy close to London's financial district, despite warnings from lawmakers, residents and Chinese dissidents-in-exile that the sprawling complex could pose security risks. China bought the site at Royal Mint Court, where Britain used to strike coins, for around $312 million in 2018. But a decision on the plans for the new 20,000 square-meter (215,000 square-foot) embassy – which would become China's largest diplomatic outpost in Europe – was delayed three times before the government granted approval on Tuesday.