Theresa May defends delaying Chinese-backed nuclear power plan
British Prime Minister says she needs to ‘weigh up evidence and consider advice’ before deciding on the fate of Hinckley Point collaboration
British Prime Minister Theresa May on Sunday defended her decision to delay a partly Chinese-funded nuclear power deal, despite it causing diplomatic tension with China, as she landed in the country to attend the G20 summit.
In July, May upset Chinese officials by delaying the US$24 billion project that would see French firm EDF build Britain’s first new nuclear power plant in decades with the help of US$8 billion from China.
The decision caught investors by surprise and has cast doubt over whether May, who took power in July following Britain’s vote to leave the European Union, will continue to court China as a major source of infrastructure investment.
“This is the way I operate,” May told reporters on board her official plane on the way to Hangzhou, where she will have a private meeting with President Xi Jinping. The summit is May’s first visit to China.
“I don’t just come in and say ‘I’m going to take a decision’ – I actually look at the evidence, weigh up that evidence, take the advice and consider that and come to my decision.”
A final decision is expected later this month.