China fury after Theresa May delays Hinkley Point nuclear power plant over security concerns
The country's official news agency attacked the 'groundlessness and sci-fi scent' of the fears
CHINA last night hit back at Theresa May’s decision to delay the Hinkley Point nuclear power station amid national security concerns – slamming Britain’s “suspicious approach”.
The new PM stunned the energy industry by announcing a shock review of the £18 billion project – which is one third funded by Chinese firms – just hours after French firm EDF gave it the go ahead last week.
Ministers are reviewing all aspects of the plant which will add £10 a year to customer bills, including security concerns that China could install a “back door” into software allowing it to shut down a vital power station.
But the Communist country’s official news agency yesterday attacked the “groundlessness and sci-fi scent” of the fears as it warned delays will put a new “Golden Era” of ties with the UK at risk.
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It warned the move could turn investors away from Britain as it “will surely stain its credibility as an open economy” and could destroy “hard-won mutual trust with China”.
It added: “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.
“After all, the hard-won momentum in China-UK relations cannot be wasted, and the Golden Era cannot afford to be delayed.”
A spokeswoman for China’s foreign ministry also called for the project to go ahead “as soon as possible”, with ministers set to make a final decision in the autumn.
The hard-hitting interventions plunged relations with China into crisis, with Mrs May’s official spokeswoman forced to insist the UK will “continue to seek a strong relationship with China”.
She added: “This is a big infrastructure decision and it’s right that a new Prime Minister and a new Government take the time to make sure that they are fully informed before they take that decision.”
It also emerged that Treasury minister Lord O’Neill, recruited to promote ties with China, could quit his post over the Government’s new stance.
That came after Lib Dem former business secretary Sir Vince Cable said Mrs May was unhappy with what she saw as the government’s “gung-ho” approach to doing deals with Beijing when they were in the coalition Cabinet together.
The project is likely to be discussed as Mrs May gathers 11 Cabinet ministers together Tuesday for the first meeting of the new Economy and Industrial Strategy Cabinet committee.
Downing Street said the committee would drive a new industrial strategy to share growth around the country.
And Mrs May said she wanted it to help get “our whole economy firing” ahead of Brexit.
The PM added: “We need a proper industrial strategy that focuses on improving productivity, rewarding hard-working people with higher wages and creating more opportunities for young people so that, whatever their background, they go as far as their talents will take them.
“We also need a plan to drive growth up and down the country – from rural areas to our great cities.”