British nuclear power plants invite Chinese investors

British Chancellor of Exchequer George Osborne on Thursday invited Chinese companies to invest in Britain's nuclear power stations and stressed high-tech cooperation between the two nations.

Osborne visited the construction site of Taishan Nuclear Power Plant in south China's Guangdong Province on Thursday during his four-day trip to Beijing and Guangdong that aimed at strengthening bilateral trade.

"I've come here because I want to see Chinese investment in the British nuclear power industry," Osborne told Xinhua.

Osborne said the U.K. government welcomes Chinese investment in Britain's next-generation nuclear programs, saying "it will deliver stable and lower energy bills for families in Britain" in the long term as well as create more jobs.

The plant Osborne visited is a joint venture of China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN) and EDF of France. It is constructing two reactors with a combined installed capacity of 3.5 million kilowatts.

The station is the world's third program that is using advanced EPR technology, which will also be used at the Hinkley Point C Program in Somerset, England, according to CGN.

Earlier this week, the two governments signed a memorandum of understanding to pave the way for Chinese companies to invest in the construction of new nuclear power plants in Britain.

Apart from civil nuclear energy, the two countries have also agreed to increase cooperation in new generation IT technology, advanced materials, photovoltaic industry, high-tech services and other fields.

HIGH-TECH COOPERATION IN FOCUS

During his trip, Osborne has repeatedly said that China had become a world leader in the high-tech industry, which would bring more opportunities than threats to the world.

"[China's] economic progress is not only helping lift people out of poverty in China, but also making the whole world richer. And I think if we work with the Chinese, we can make Britain a stronger and more prosperous country," Osborne said.

On Wednesday, the Chancellor of Exchequer visited the headquarters of the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei and the country's largest Internet company Tencent in Shenzhen, China's first special economic zone.

"Some people have the view that China is only a home of low-cost manufacturing and low-quality products -- the view is totally wrong and out-dated. What I have seen today is quite literally the future," he said while visiting Huawei.

Osborne said he hoped to change the view, make Britain more aware of successful Chinese companies and encourage British firms to become part of China's tech success.

Xiao Yaofei, a professor from the Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, said Osborne's comments suggested the global market is paying more attention to China's progress in the high-tech industry.

Deepened cooperation between China and Europe will not just promote trade but also benefit industrial transformations on both sides, Xiao said.

"Europe has realized the negative effects of de-industrialization after the global financial crisis and is looking for changes. China should be one of its ideal partners, with its strength in manufacturing," he said.