- Title: UK signs long-awaited Franco-Chinese nuclear project
- Date: 29th September 2016
- Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UK (SEPTEMBER 29, 2016) (REUTERS) SIGN READING "FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE" VARIOUS OF FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER, JEAN MARC AYRAULT, OUTSIDE BRITISH FOREIGN OFFICE WALKING TOWARDS MEDIA / JOURNALISTS STEPPING FORWARD WITH MICROPHONES (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER, JEAN MARC AYRAULT, SAYING: "It's an opportunity and I am very pleased that the British government, after having examined the documents. Mrs May had just gone into power, so a new prime minister and new government was completely within its rights to examine the documents. Having seen all that it contains the British government was convinced it's a good project for Great Britain. It's a good project also for France and it's also a good project for French-Chinese co-operation." AYRAULT STANDING BY FOREIGN OFFICE (SOUNDBITE) (English) FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER, JEAN MARC AYRAULT, SAYING: "This opportunity to develop EDF. To develop the nuclear industry in Europe, in the world, with a partner, with the Chinese partner. I think it was very important to be here with the British government, the Chinese government for this very important investment." BRITISH NATIONAL FLAG FLYING ABOVE BUILDING (SOUNDBITE) (English) FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER, JEAN MARC AYRAULT, SAYING: "This was very important for the British government to take this decision to decide to take this project, it's a very important moment. Thank you."
- Embargoed: 14th October 2016 20:31
- Keywords: Hinkley Point nuclear EDF Chinese
- Location: LONDON AND HINKLEY POINT, SOMERSET, ENGLAND, UK
- City: LONDON AND HINKLEY POINT, SOMERSET, ENGLAND, UK
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Economic Events
- Reuters ID: LVA00251MEWXZ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:A multi-billion pound deal to build Britain's first new nuclear power station in decades was signed in London on Thursday (September 29) in a low-key ceremony that underlined Prime Minister Theresa May's cautious approach to the Franco-Chinese project.
The contract was formally signed at a ceremony attended by Britain's Business Secretary Greg Clark, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault and Chairman of CGN He Yo.
The no-frills event for the project in Hinkley, southwest England, to be built by France's EDF and part-funded by China, contrasted with the approach taken by May's predecessor David Cameron who courted Chinese investment during a lavish state visit laid on for President Xi Jinping last year.
The plan has been dogged by uncertainty for months. It was only narrowly approved by the French firm's board and then put on hold for further review by May in July, just hours before a large signing ceremony was due to take place to celebrate the project, stunning Paris and Beijing.
It was finally given the green light earlier this month, after the government included the proviso that it would be able to block the sale of EDF's controlling stake.
The government also said it would take a more cautious approach in future over foreign investment in big infrastructure projects. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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