Hinkley project delay would test China-UK ties: Envoy
August 10, 2016, 5:35 am

British Prime Minister Theresa May (2nd from left), Queen Elizabeth II (3rd from left) with visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping in London, UK Britain, Oct. 20, 2015 [Xinhua]

The British government’s postponing approval of the 18 billion pound ($24 billion) Hinkley Point plant is “a test of mutual trust”, the Chinese envoy to UK warned on Tuesday.

“Hinkley Point is not the result of some whimsical idea or rushed decision; it is the considered outcome of a mutually beneficial tripartite partnership between Britain, France and China,” Liu Xiaoming wrote in the British daily the Financial Times on Tuesday.

Before the three parties reached the agreement, it had gone through research, verification and approval by the authorities in Britain and France as well as the European Commission, Liu added.

“There have also been extensive and thorough discussions by all involved and in the media regarding the project’s cost-effectiveness, its timeline and the safety of the technology,” he added.

With the Hinkley point decision, the Chinese-British relationship is “at a crucial historical juncture” Liu noted.

The ambassador also pointed to the strengths of the China General Nuclear Power Corporation.

“This is a partner with world-class technology, the necessary financial resources and rich experience in the management and operation of nuclear plants,” he said.

Building the most expensive nuclear plant ever could pave the way for the state-owned China General Nuclear Power Corp. designing a UK reactor.

China is expected to fund a third of the $24 billion project.

On security, Liu wrote: “The UK has a state of the art supervision regime and legal system” and its regulatory authorities are “experienced and adequately resourced” to ensure the safety of nuclear plants.

“The three Hinkley Point partners are members of the International Atomic Energy Agency,” he said. “So, the French and Chinese partners are subjecting themselves to both international and British standards.”

TBP and Agencies