The UK-China nuclear deal could threaten national security
Senior military and intelligence figures have warned the UK government over their concerns that the deal with China to build nuclear power plants in Somerset and Suffolk, in the United Kingdom, will give Beijing significant influence within the UK's infrastructure, and put national security at risk.  An unidentified security source says that, "there is a big division between the money men and the security side.  The Treasury is in the lead and it isn't listening to anyone - they see China as an opportunity but we see the threat".  Cyber espionage is apparently one key doubt, and MI5 points out that "Russian and Chinese intelligence activities are of great concern".  Dr Paul Dorfman of the Energy Institute says the idea is "astounding", and doubts that the US and Europe would "dream of letting China have such a part of its critical national infrastructure".  

Giving China a major stake in Britain’s nuclear power industry would be a serious threat to national security, ministers have been warned.

The Government plans to use Premier Li Keqiang’s state visit next week to finalise a deal for billions of pounds of Chinese investment in a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point, Somerset, and one at Sizewell, Suffolk.

The communist regime could then be allowed to design, build and run a third plant at Bradwell, Essex.

Ministers have been warned that giving China a major stake in Britain’s nuclear power industry would be a serious threat to national security. David Cameron is pictured at Hinkley Point B power station in 2013

The move has caused alarm in security circles, with some officials warning commercial and energy priorities are being placed ahead of national security.

A security source told The Times: ‘There is a big division between the money men and the security side. The Treasury is in the lead, and it isn’t listening to anyone.

‘They see China as an opportunity, but we see the threat.’

Another defence source said senior military officers are concerned China could hide ‘trapdoors or back doors’ in the reactors’ software, allowing Beijing to bypass UK security.

But Energy Secretary Amber Rudd said: ‘We have the strongest level of nuclear regulation … and the best record of nuclear safety.

'That is the system that any country… will have to engage with if it wants to operate here.’

But security experts are worried less by the ability of the Chinese to operate nuclear facilities safely than by the potential risk of sabotage.

Despite a thawing in relations, Britain’s intelligence agencies continue to regard China as a significant threat, particularly in terms of cyber-espionage.

MI5 has warned publicly that the ‘intelligence services of China… continue to work against UK interests at home and abroad’.

But the Treasury is keen to secure Chinese funding for a £25billion nuclear reactor at Hinkley Point, in Somerset, and a second power station at Sizewell, in Suffolk.

The Government plans to use a state visit by Premier Li Keqiang (right) next week to finalise a deal for billions of Chinese investment in a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point, Somerset, and one at Sizewell, Suffolk

During a trip to China last month, George Osborne offered loan guarantees worth £2billion to help secure Chinese backing for Hinkley Point. Pictured is an artist's impression of how Hinkley Point C station will look

During a trip to China last month, George Osborne offered loan guarantees worth £2billion to help secure Chinese backing for Hinkley Point.

Speaking in Beijing, the Chancellor described the proposed deal as ‘a win-win-win for the UK and … a great example of how the relationship with China has a direct material benefit to the people living in our country’.

He added: ‘I think we have to confront any anxieties that exist out there about Chinese investment in British civil nuclear power.’

But the United States has publicly voiced concerns about the growing commercial bond between Britain and China.

And Paul Dorfman, of University College London’s Energy Institute, said: ‘No one else in Europe would cut this deal.