China 'cannot Tolerate Accusations' On Britain Investment: Xinhua

China 'cannot tolerate accusations' on Britain investment: Xinhua

BEIJING,(APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Augst,2016) - China "cannot tolerate" accusations that its investment in a British nuclear plant threatens that country's security, state media said Monday, after London surprisingly delayed the giant project. Beijing has a one-third stake in the plan to build Britain's first nuclear plant for decades at Hinkley Point in southwest England, along with French company EDF, which gave the scheme the go-ahead last week. The deal had been seen as a cornerstone of a "golden era" of Chinese-British ties pushed by then-prime minister David Cameron and finance minister George Osborne.

But the new administration under Theresa May said Friday it would suspend a decision to build the plant until the autumn.

British media said the move was a sign that May took a more sceptical view on ties with China than her predecessor. 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", adding that future Chinese investment in Britain could be suspended unless the deal went ahead. Fears over "China planting back doors" during construction to control critical infrastructure had a "groundlessness and sci-fi scent", the article 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," it stressed.