The proposed Chinese embassy could offer “security benefits”, No 10 said, amid speculation Sir Keir Starmer will travel to Beijing if the London diplomatic complex is approved.

A decision on the embassy has been delayed until January 20, with reports from China suggesting Sir Keir will travel to Beijing and Shanghai later that month.

Downing Street would not be drawn on the potential trip to China, which would be the first by a prime minister since Theresa May’s visit in 2018.

MPs heard that security concerns around the proposed new embassy close to the Tower of London had been addressed.

Security minister Dan Jarvis told MPs the Home Office and Foreign Office – which represent the views of MI5 and MI6 – had made representations as part of the process.

But he confirmed that “all natio

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