“The cooperation between China and the UK on nuclear energy is mutually beneficial,” the statement said.
“If such cooperation is to be suspended under duress, this will be against UK’s interest in terms of benefiting from China’s advanced technology and capital investment, developing clean energy to achieve its planned carbon neutrality goal and proving itself to be a credible global partner,” the statement said. It noted that Chinese nuclear energy companies have “state-of-the-art technology and strong investment capabilities”.
According to the Financial Times, China’s state-owned nuclear energy company China General Nuclear (CGN) could be blocked from all future power projects in the UK, with ministers understood to be investigating ways to prevent its involvement.
The move would exclude CGN from the consortium planning to build the £20bn Sizewell C nuclear plant in southeast England, as well as one in Bradwell-on-Sea in Essex.
Some Conservative Party MPs have called for a review of nuclear contracts on the grounds that China is not a “trusted vendor”. Some believe Britain no longer needs CGN’s money because prime minister Boris Johnson’s government might be willing to contemplate public subsidies or new financing methods for new nuclear.
