A senior official from China has expressed his "deep concern" over plans for the Oriental City shopping centre, in Colindale.

The Chinese Consul General to Britain, Jiang Yuansong, has written to the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone as part of the consultation process.

Mr Livingstone must decide whether or not to give the £200 million redevelopment of the Edgware Road centre the go-ahead.

Mr Jiang expressed deep concern about plans to demolish the existing shops and restaurants at the Edgware Road complex and relocate them for a few years while the new glass-fronted 17-storey redevelopment is built.

He wrote: "As the counsellor and Consul General of the Chinese Embassy, I would like to express my deep concern to the plan which has negative impact on so many Chinese families.

"I also have great sympathy for the tenants, whose businesses would be affected if the proposed development goes ahead without modification."

He added: "Many tenants take the relocation plan as inadequate and request it be practicable and workable.

"Otherwise their business and living would be seriously affected by the rebuilding.

"It was reported that the rebuilding would have impact on about 1,000 Chinese families in the next three to four years if the present plan is approved."

Brent Council has already approved the proposal, which includes space for 500 flats, a primary school and a DIY superstore alongside the Oriental shops and restaurants.

It now has to be given the green light by Mr Livingstone who has already asked for more time to consider the move.

The plan will be officially referred to him at the beginning of February, after which he is obliged to come to a decision within 14 days - just in time for Chinese New Year on the 18th.

Last month, the Mayor was handed 5,000 letters of protest by a delegation which included former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright, who gave his full support to the campaign as one of Oriental City's regular visitors.

Members of the Save Oriental City Campaign (SOCC) say that the centre serves 10,000 members of north London's eastern community, who will be forced to shop elsewhere if the redevelopment is approved. The jobs of 800 employees are also on the line.

Yip Fai Liu, SOCC chairman, said: "We are really pleased that the Chinese Embassy is backing our campaign.

"We hope the Mayor of London will do the same."