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DUBAI: TikTok is reportedly in talks to lease a new London office a block away from its current UK headquarters, according to Bloomberg.

The rapidly growing social media platform is eyeing further expansion amid growing political tensions between Britain and China. 

The Chinese-owned company is negotiating a lease for the Verdant development at 150 Aldersgate Street near London’s Farringdon district, according to the report. It wants to rent the entire 11-storey, 134,000-sq-ft development, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg.

Last year, TikTok leased Kaleidoscope, an 88,500-square foot office building above the Farringdon East Crossrail Station, in London. The company expected to house 850 UK employees in that office, according to the Evening Standard.

Its expansion plans in the UK have been affected by worsening relations between the UK and China. In July 2020, the company suspended talks to build a global headquarters in the UK after the government limited the use of Huawei Technologies Co. products in the country’s 5G infrastructure, reported The Sunday Times.

The company has instead expanded in Dublin. However, the owner of the Dublin building is now considering selling the property, according to React News.