Chinese Embassy Slams UK Politicians Over British Steel Crisis Row

The Chinese Embassy has launched a scathing attack on UK politicians, accusing them of “arrogance, ignorance and a twisted mindset” amid escalating tensions over the British Steel crisis. The diplomatic row erupted following criticism of Jingye, the Chinese owner of British Steel, after its threatened closure of blast furnaces at the Scunthorpe facility.

Beijing’s representatives in London published a stern rebuke on their website, targeting unspecified British public figures for allegedly slandering China’s government and businesses. The response came after Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds criticised Jingye’s conduct, particularly its threat to shut down operations that would have resulted in 2,700 job losses.

Jingye, which has owned British Steel since 2020, defended its position, requesting that the UK government “respect and protect the legitimate rights and interests of Jingye as a foreign investor.” The company highlighted its previous investments and efforts to safeguard employment at the plant, despite accumulating losses exceeding £350 million since acquisition.

The situation intensified when Jingye rejected a £500 million government support package aimed at transitioning from polluting blast furnaces to cleaner electric arc furnaces. Reynolds subsequently acknowledged past mistakes in allowing Chinese investment in strategic industries, noting the influence of the Chinese government on private enterprises.

The Chinese Embassy’s statement warned that politicising business issues could undermine Chinese investors’ confidence in the UK market and damage bilateral economic cooperation. The embassy particularly emphasised Jingye’s role in preserving jobs in 2020 and characterised the planned furnace closures as “a normal decision.”

Despite the diplomatic tension, the UK government maintains its position on managing relations with China strategically, emphasising the importance of engaging with the world’s second-largest economy while remaining vigilant to potential risks and ensuring national security interests are protected.