Chinese state media on Monday criticized the British government for delaying Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant project.

State-run Xinhua news agency, in a commentary, slammed the U.K. for its "suspicious approach" to Chinese investments in the country.

"Giving the green light to a 24-billion-U.S.-dollar project can never be an easy decision, and China fully understands and respects British government's requirement for more time to ponder," it said. "However, what China cannot understand is the "suspicious approach" that comes from nowhere to Chinese investment in making the postponement."

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The commentary warned that the postponement of construction works on the nuclear plant could risk driving away Chinese investment in U.K.

The new British cabinet, led by Prime Minister Theresa May, recently decided to delay the ongoing work at Hinkley Point C nuclear power point. Former Business Secretary Vince Cable blamed May for the delay.

"When we were in government Theresa May was quite clear she was unhappy about the rather gung-ho approach to Chinese investment that we had," Cable said last week.

China, which is funding one-third of the nuclear power plant, has urged the British government to end uncertainty over the project. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying, in a press release, said: "I'd like to stress that the project was agreed on by China, Britain and France in the spirit of reciprocity and win-win cooperation."

Hua added that the project, initiated by the previous British government, has always been supported by Britain, and France. France, on the other hand, also expressed its unhappiness over Britain's shocking decision to postpone the project. 

Tagschina, UK, State Media, Hinkley Point, France