UK shouldn't let Washington dictate its policy: China Daily editorial

The decision by the United Kingdom government to give the green light to the Hualong One design of China General Nuclear Power Corp for a prospective nuclear power plant in Bradwell, England, reflects the strengthened economic and trade cooperation between the two countries despite their sometimes vehement disagreements on certain issues in the political field.

Given that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-UK diplomatic relations, the move seems especially significant.

The approval was given last week following "rigorous assessment" by the UK's Office for Nuclear Regulation and the Environment Agency, which said they were satisfied that the reactor meets regulatory expectations for safety, security and environmental protection.

The CGN and French state-owned power giant EDF signed deals with the UK government in 2015 on three nuclear power projects in the country, the other two being Sizewell and Hinkley Point power stations. Given that half of the UK's nuclear capacity is due to be retired by 2025, the new projects certainly serve its energy interests.

Yet the mutually beneficial Sino-UK energy cooperation has not been going smoothly mainly due to disruptive intervention by the United States, especially after the Donald Trump administration added CGN to the US' "Entity List" in 2019 based on false claims that it had acquired advanced US nuclear technology to divert to military uses. Since then, some politicians in the UK have called for the CGN to be excluded from any nuclear projects in the country based on national security concerns.

Speculation about the UK government trying to remove the CGN from its nuclear projects increased after London, pressured by the US, banned Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei from its 5G network in 2020. All this, in addition to disputes between the two countries over such issues as Hong Kong, Xinjiang and the South China Sea, have sent bilateral relations on a downward spiral.

The "Golden Age" in Sino-UK relations, marked by mutual trust and understanding, may have been short-lived, but that does not mean the UK should stop viewing its relations with China from a long-term and strategic perspective.

It should not let its economic and trade policies be decided by the US, which is intent on targeting China out of geopolitical considerations. Treating Chinese businesses in a fair, just and unbiased way would help expand pragmatic cooperation to the good of both countries.