The entrance to the British prime minister's official residence, 10 Downing Street, in London Photo: VCG

Following Washington's blatant interference in UK's internal affairs a few days earlier, Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, has reportedly claimed during his visit to the UK that he personally is concerned about the Chinese "super-embassy" in London, asserting the security threats raised "seem real" without making elaborations, according to the Times on local time Saturday.

Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, on Sunday refuted such baseless claims, saying it reflects typical mindset of the US politicians that when it suits them, they drag allies along to confront other countries; but when it's convenient, they push allies to the front as sacrifices, turning them into US' strategic pawns or expendable consumables.

While claiming he was not speaking for the White House or the administration, Johnson was quoted in the Times as saying that "We have to let our friends here make their decision. But if it were me, I would be very cautious about that." 

According to the report, Johnson's remarks came as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to approve the plans this week. 

The so-called "security threat" rhetoric over the Chinese embassy plans is really a groundless claim out of thin air, Li told the Global Times. The current US House Speaker is steeped in geopolitical thinking, and represents a very outdated, Cold War-style mindset in politics, Li said. 

The expert also believed that the UK, when handling its China policy, will base decisions on its own fundamental interests.

Prior to the US House speaker claim, the White House had hyped that it is "deeply concerned" about Labour's plan to approve a Chinese embassy in London, which experts slammed as blatant interference in the UK's affairs. 

Ciaran Martin, who teaches at the University of Oxford and was founding chief executive of the UK's National Cyber Security Centre at Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ,) refuted in his article published by the Times on local time Friday that there is no such thing as a "super-embassy", only an embassy. Why the Chinese want such a large building is a fair question, but it's not unusual for countries to have diplomatic "hubs" — we [the UK]have them.

Concerning the so-called "secret rooms" — as hyped by the White House previously — are in fact only classified facilities and all serious embassies have classified facilities. It doesn't matter whether the new Chinese embassy is in central London or in Inverness. There will be "secret rooms" in it and in the embassies of all serious countries around the world, including our own, the professor explained in the article. 

Li Haidong also noted that while China has consistently shown the utmost goodwill toward Europe, seeking a relationship based on mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, equality, and mutual respect. "When the US attempts to demonize China, who is the real demon," asked the expert, noting that in contrast, the US, in fact, is currently forming an imminent threat to the European countries, given the US administration's latest attempt to take over Greenland and tariff pressure against Europe, all showing disrespect of the interests of the Europe and the UK.