China expected to get London embassy go-ahead this week after years of wrangling

Decision expected on Monday or Tuesday, potentially smoothing relations before Keir Starmer's visit to China

• Why Chinese mega embassy' is not such a worry for British spies

A decision on China's proposed mega embassy in London is expected on Monday or Tuesday, with Chinese officials and British diplomats in Beijing holding their breath in anticipation of the planning application finally being approved.

The saga, which has been running since 2018, is widely expected to end with the British government giving the green light for construction. If it does, one group likely to be grateful is those who work in the British embassy's dilapidated building in Beijing. The UK's plans to redevelop its outpost in China's capital have been blocked for years by the Chinese government because of the London embassy row.