An anxious China today asked Britain to decide "as soon as possible" on proceeding with a USD 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.
"I'd like to stress that the project was agreed on by China, Britain and France in the spirit of reciprocity and win-win cooperation," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said in a statement.
The Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant project in the UK, finalised by the previous David Cameron government had always been strongly backed by the British and French sides, Hua said.
According to an agreement reached last October, the Chinese consortium led by China General Nuclear Power Corp. (CGN) would hold a 33.5 per cent stake in the project, and Electricite de France, or EDF, a 66.5 per cent.
A deal was supposed to be inked by the British government, EDF and China General Nuclear Power Corp on July 29 but the new government headed by Theresa May put a hold on it.
"(We) hope that the British side will make a decision as soon as possible to ensure the project's smooth implementation," Hua said.
A BBC report earlier said the British government explained the "shock decision" to delay the deal saying that it needed time to consider all components of the deal.
But speculation is growing that China questions may be at the heart of the reassessment, it said.
Under the existing terms of the project, a Chinese company is to finance a third of the new Hinkley Point C reactors and may later build a Chinese-designed nuclear power station in Essex.
A Xinhua report from London quoted spokeswoman for British Prime Minister Theresa May as saying that it was natural for the incoming government to want to look at the plans in detail. But Britain still valued its ties with China, she said.
Meanwhile, Chinese state media said today that China "cannot tolerate" accusations that its investment in the British nuclear plant threatens that country's security.
Tian Dongdong, a writer with China's official Xinhua news agency, said in a commentary that the delay "adds uncertainties to the 'Golden Era' of China-UK ties".
Fears over "China planting back doors" during construction to control critical infrastructure had a "groundlessness and sci-fi scent", the article said.
"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 said.
