Britain continues to seek closer ties with China despite nuclear deal delay

He said no explanation was given for the then chancellor’s decision to reject a pivotal “special share” in the Somerset project.

The proposed “special share” in the consortium would have enabled the government to intervene on certain decisions to protect the national interest.

“My recollection was that when approval was sought for Hinkley, she raised objections on the grounds of national security issues with China”.

May caused shock in the business world when she ordered a last-minute halt on Friday to agreements finalising the £18bn project so that the details could be scrutinised further. “So I think she has form in adopting a more suspicious approach, more in line with the American position”, he told the Sunday Telegraph.

While proponents of Hinkley Point say the project will generate many local jobs and help to portray Britain as an open economy in the post-Brexit landscape, May is thought to be concerned with the security aspect of significant Chinese investment in the constriction of nuclear reactors.

Former British cabinet member Vince Cable, who worked with May when she was home secretary, told media at the weekend that at the time she had been “anxious” about Chinese involvement. However, what China can not understand is the “suspicious approach” that comes from nowhere to Chinese investment in making the postponement.

There has been criticism of the guaranteed price EDF would be paid for power produced at Hinkley – £92.50 per unit of electricity.

China is expected to fund one third of the project.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn described the price levels as “disturbing” and backed a review.

“China can wait for a rational British government to make responsible decisions, but cannot tolerate any unwanted accusation against its honest and benign willingness for win-win cooperation”.

And after the Financial Times reported that Treasury minister Lord (Jim) O’Neill could quit the Government over Mrs May’s approach to China, the spokeswoman stressed he “has a role to play”.

China yesterday called for Britain to proceed with a nuclear power plant deal that was the highlight of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s trip to the United Kingdom a year ago, saying the project previously had firm support from London, even as Britain’s new government has said it would review the deal again.

Greg Clark, the new secretary for business, energy and industrial strategy, met with the chief executives of the French and Chinese companies behind the project to reassure them that the UK’s energy policy had not changed.

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.