Progress made in Chinese-British nuclear deal
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Substantial progress has been made over a deal for two Chinese companies to help finance a British nuclear plant, one of a number of agreements on the table during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Britain next week, his ambassador said.
Several pacts would be announced during the Oct. 19-23 trip, though it was still unclear whether the long-mooted deal for the Hinkley Point nuclear plant would actually be signed then, China's ambassador, Liu Xiaoming, told reporters.
The Hinkley Point project is owned by the British subsidiary of the French energy company EDF. China General Nuclear Corp and China National Nuclear Corp have been expected to take a combined stake of around 30-40 percent but the talks have taken longer than expected.
"Substantial progression has been made with regard to nuclear power," Liu added at China's embassy in central London. "Whether there will be a signing ceremony during this visit, I cannot say for 100 percent."
