Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has called on China to explain their plans for a new London "super-embassy" after drawings for the building emerged with blacked-out areas.

Rayner's Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has issued a letter to diplomats urging them to provide fully visible drawings and "explain the rationale and justification" for the areas being redacted.

China has been given two weeks to respond to the letter, with a deadline of September 9 looming for the UK Government to make a decision on the plans.

The White House previously expressed concern over the plans for the proposed site at The Royal Mint in East Smithfield, which was bought by China for £255million in 2018.

Republican Congressman John Moolenaar warned that the new embassy buildings present a “an unacceptable risk” to both London and Washington.

A series of buildings were identified in Rayner's letter as being "greyed-out", including the "Cultural Exchange Building" and "Embassy House", among others.

The letter stated that the buildings “are marked on their face as being ‘redacted for security reasons’, and it appears that this may refer, at least principally, to the internal physical arrangements”.

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Rayner's Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government issued a letter to the Chinese embassy to provide fully visible drawings

If the plans are accepted by Britain, the embassy would become the largest in Europe and sit on the doorstep of Britain's financial centre.

When the White House voiced its "concern" just weeks ago, it warned of how the site would run over key communication cables, including some used by American banks.

The plans also drew criticism from a group of cross-party MPs in the Netherlands, who feared that the City of London and Amsterdam's internet exchange and banking sector may be exposed to Chinese espionage.

Luke de Pulford, executive director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, said: “Either the Government has finally seen the light and is finding reasons to refuse this disastrous plan, or trying to look tough and has struck a deal with Beijing.

“If the former, this is hugely welcome and a massive volte-face.”

The move comes after the UK was warned earlier this year that China had been ramping up its spying efforts in the country to undermine economic security and democracy.

Two years ago, MI5's director claimed that Chinese spies had attempted to make contact with over 20,000 people online.

The planning proposal decision was elevated from Tower Hamlets Council up to Westminster after the council raised security concerns.

But Beijing previously claimed that "anti-China" forces were attacking the planning process for the embassy.

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The planning proposal decision was moved from Tower Hamlets Council to Westminster after the council raised security concerns

The letter sent to China's embassy revealed that the Home Office has asked for a "hard perimeter" around the site, which could add “a material amendment to the application that would require further consultation".

"Consideration of this case is at an early stage, and no view has yet been formed," the letter added.

Campaigners against the embassy's proposal had feared earlier this month that an approval announcement could be made while Parliament is in recess over the summer.

GB News has approached the MHCLG for comment.