An anxious China today asked Britain to decide “as soon as possible” on proceeding with a United States dollars 24 billion nuclear power plant project after the new British government delayed the venture saying that it needed time to consider all aspects of the deal.
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A spokeswoman for British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Monday that Britain will continue to seek a stronger relationship with China, Reuters reported.
There has been criticism of the guaranteed price EDF would be paid for power produced at Hinkley – £92.50 per unit of electricity.
Meanwhile Xinhua, China’s official news agency, said on Monday that China would not tolerate “unwanted accusations” regarding investment in Britain and since Brexit, the United Kingdom could not afford to drive-away foreign investment.
Hua Chunying, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry told Reuters that Beijing had “noted” the decision.
Mrs May shocked the business world when she ordered a last-minute halt to finalising the Hinkley Point nuclear power plant project – in which China has a one-third stake – so the situation could be reviewed.
The government’s decision to delay final approval of the Hinkley Point nuclear power plant is due to Theresa May’s suspicion over Chinese involvement in the project, according to the former business secretary of the Coalition government.
“China fully understands and respects British government’s requirement for more time to ponder”.
A former colleague of Ms May said on Saturday she had previously expressed concern about the national security implications of the planned Chinese investment.
A “Golden Era” of China-UK ties proclaimed past year, when Chinese President Xi Jinping was warmly welcomed in Britain, is now under question.
Under plans drawn up by Mr Cameron, French utility EDF and Chinese partner China General Nuclear would be responsible for the 18-billion-pound (S$32 billion) cost of the project, while Britain has committed to pay a minimum price for the power generated by the plant for 35 years.
Fears over “China planting back doors” during construction to control critical infrastructure had a “groundlessness and sci-fi scent”, the article said.
“What China can not understand is the “suspicious approach” that comes from nowhere to Chinese investment in making the postponement,” it said.
“If history offers any guide, many China-targeted suspicions have been boiled down to diffidence and distortion”.
“China can wait for a rational British government to make responsible decisions, but cannot tolerate any unwanted accusation against its honest and benign willingness for win-win cooperation”.
Xinhua said people might think Britain was trying to erect a wall of protectionism.
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Such commentaries are not government statements, but offer a reflection of official thinking.
