British Prime Minister Theresa May announced on Friday that her government will review again a nuclear project financially backed by a Chinese firm. (Photo : Getty Images)
After the new British new government announced it would review the venture again, China urges the western country to continue the nuclear power plant that has received investment from a Chinese firm, Reuters reported.
The project, planned by France's EDF, eyes to built two reactors and is seen "as a sign of Britain's openness to foreign investment," the article wrote.
The endeavor, championed by David Cameron, the predecessor of Prime Minister Theresa May, has the financial backing of State-owned China General Nuclear Power Corp.
The recent announcement of May's government about the reviewing of the project has raised concerns from experts. They claim that the move could mirror the change that is happening in the country's approach to infrastructure deals, foreign investment and energy supply.
A source, who is a former colleague of May, told Reuters that the new British leader was concerned about the Hinkley Point nuclear plant's security implications, particularly citing the planned investment from China.
The source added that May herself intervened to postpone the project.
Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told Reuters that they had acknowledged the announcement.
"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 win-win cooperation, and has always had the strong support of Britain and France," Hua said in a statement sent to the media outlet.
Hua added that the country "hopes that Britain can reach a decision as soon as possible, to ensure the project's smooth implementation."
It was in 2013 when EDF and Britain first reached a commercial agreement on the nuclear power plant venture. China was involved in the project two years later when President Xi Jinping made moves to foster the Sino-British ties.
Nonetheless, State-run Xinhua News Agency took a bolder stance against the recently released British decision.
"What China cannot understand is the 'suspicious approach' that comes from nowhere to Chinese investment in making the postponement," the agency stated.
"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 sincere and benign willingness for win-win cooperation," it added.
