The UK shows its openness to China

The Chinese president, Xi Jinping, paid an official visit to the United Kingdom between 20 and 23 October. What stood out during this visit was the special media coverage and the pomp with which he was received. The British prime minister announced the beginning of a ‘golden age’ in bilateral relations. A number of economic agreements were signed, worth a total of £40 billion according to the British government’s estimates. One of the most important of these provides that the Chinese state-controlled nuclear corporation, China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN), will join the French consortium of Électricité de France and Areva, building the construction of the new Hinkley Point nuclear power plant. The Chinese firm acquired one third of the shares, and its investments will reach £6 billion. During the visit, the British officials brought their criticism of China down to an absolute minimum, although numerous voices of criticism were heard from some experts and the British press.