Tue, 15 Apr 2025

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 How much vital UK infrastructure does China own?

BBC Verify looks at what we know about the extent of Chinese investment in the UK economy.
Chinese investment in UK economy
* Chinese investment in UK: £4.3bn (official data), £82bn (independent estimate)
* China is the third largest national destination of Chinese investment, after US and Australia
* Wide range of investments: energy and transport infrastructure, stakes in private companies, football clubs Key sectors and investments
* Energy and transport infrastructure: + 10% stake in London's Heathrow airport by China Investment Corporation + UK Power Networks (electricity distribution) owned by Li Ka-shing's investment group + Hinkley Point C nuclear power station: China General Nuclear Power Group has a 27.4% stake
* Battery sector: + Minety battery site in Wiltshire funded and constructed by Huaneng, a Chinese state-owned company + Geely Auto owns London EV Company (electric vehicle manufacturer)
* Wind farms: + Red Rock Renewables (owned by SDIC Power) has a 25% share in the Beatrice offshore wind farm in Scotland
* Consumer brands: + Li Ka-shing's group owns Greene King pub chain and brewery + Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is owned by Fosun Security risks
* Potential for espionage or disruption of infrastructure for geopolitical leverage
* Analysts debate whether Chinese law represents an inherent security risk in all Chinese investments
* Sceptics argue that it's not in the financial interest of Chinese investors to sabotage UK infrastructure or firms
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