Beijing calls for British nuclear project financially backed by China to proceed
Foreign ministry expresses hope new government can reach decision over fate of Hinkley power plant ‘as soon as possible’
China on Monday called for Britain to proceed with a nuclear power plant project partly invested in by a Chinese firm, saying the project had firm support from London, after Britain’s new government said it would review it again.
The plan by France’s EDF to build two reactors with financial backing from a Chinese state-owned company, China General Nuclear Power Corp, was championed by British Prime Minister Theresa May’s predecessor, David Cameron, as a sign of Britain’s openness to foreign investment.
But just hours before a signing ceremony was due to take place on Friday, May’s new government said it would review the project again, raising concern that Britain’s approach to infrastructure deals, energy supply and foreign investment may be changing.
May was concerned about the security implications of the Chinese investment in the Hinkley Point nuclear plant and intervened to delay the project, a former colleague said on Saturday.
This project was agreed upon by China, Britain and France in the spirit of mutual benefit and cooperation
Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said they had “noted” the decision. “I would like to stress that this project was agreed upon by China, Britain and France in the spirit of mutual benefit and cooperation ... and has always had the strong support of Britain and France,” Hua said. China “hopes that Britain can reach a decision as soon as possible, to ensure the project’s smooth implementation”, she added.