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          Britain Opens Nuclear Projects to Greater Chinese Investment

   by VOA News

   Britain has announced it will allow Chinese companies to take a
   majority stake in its nuclear power projects as part of efforts to
   speed up London's power generation capabilities.
   Finance Minister George Osborne made the announcement Thursday during a
   visit to China, during which both countries signed a memorandum of
   understanding on nuclear cooperation.
   A British treasury statement said any initial Chinese investment in
   nuclear power projects is likely to be a minority stake, but that
   majority stakes were possible in future projects.
   Earlier this week, London said it is nearing a deal with the
   state-owned China General Nuclear Power Group and the French energy
   company EDF to build Britain's first nuclear power plant since 1995.
   Britain is trying hard to attract foreign investment for its massive
   infrastructure projects. Specifically, UK officials say, more nuclear
   power plants are needed to help address the growing risk of power
   shortages in the coming years.
   Osborne hailed the new deal on Britain-China cooperation as an
   "important part of of the government's plan for developing the next
   generation of nuclear power in Britain." He said it could help create
   more jobs and investment and will lead to lower long-term energy costs
   for consumers.
   British officials said strict safeguards are in place to prevent any
   intrusion into the sensitive nuclear industry.
   Beijing has been accused by some Western governments of stealing
   commercial and other secrets.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/britain-opens-nuclear-projects-to-gre
   ater-chinese-investment/1771371.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/britain-opens-nuclear-projects-to-greater-chinese-investment/1771371.html