UK 'open' to Chinese nuclear investment

The United Kingdom has reiterated its openness to Chinese investment in the country's nuclear power industry, a senior British official has said.

"Britain is the most open economy in the world, and that goes for our energy markets as well. So there is absolutely no reason why Chinese companies can't enter our markets. I couldn't be clearer than that," Ed Davey, British energy and climate change secretary, said in an interview with China Daily.

His comments came amid heated debate about China General Nuclear Power Group's talks to share the costs of Electricite de France SA's planned power station at Hinkley Point in southwest England. The project has an estimated cost of 14 billion pounds ($22 billion).

Media reports have said that CGN's request to have greater operational control of the project has encountered national security concerns from the British government.

Mark Pritchard, a member of parliament who is also a member of the national security committee, was quoted by the Financial Times as saying that Chinese companies should take only a "minor" role in sensitive sectors such as energy.

However, Davey said that Pritchard's views do not represent the view of the British government, because he is "backbench", which means he does not hold government office.

The British government will have no objection for whatever commercial arrangements CGN and EDF reach, even if CGN becomes the majority partner in the consortium, said Davey.

"So, ultimately, these are commercial matters and, in our energy market, which is very much private, the government isn't able to tell companies how to manage relationships with other companies.

"So it will be a decision between EDF and CGN and, (whatever) they decide to do, the government doesn't have any objections," Davey said.