China has slammed UK politicians for displaying “arrogance, ignorance, and a twisted mindset” in the ongoing row over British Steel’s future. The criticism came after British officials accused Jingye, the Chinese owner of British Steel, of acting in bad faith over plans to shut down blast furnaces in Scunthorpe, risking thousands of jobs.
The Chinese embassy in the UK hit back, condemning what it called “anti-China rhetoric” from British public figures and denying allegations of improper influence by Beijing. The embassy warned that politicizing the issue could harm Chinese investment in the UK, stating, “Any words or deeds that maliciously hype up business issues will undermine the confidence of Chinese investors.”
The UK government intervened last weekend with emergency legislation to prevent the immediate closure of the furnaces, which employ 2,700 workers. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds had earlier criticized Jingye, saying he would not have allowed Chinese investment in the steel sector due to concerns over Beijing’s influence on private companies.
Jingye, which acquired British Steel in 2020, defended its actions, stating it had “safeguarded jobs and invested in the plant” and called on the UK government to respect its rights as a foreign investor. The company had rejected a £500 million government offer to transition to greener electric arc furnaces, opting instead to shut down the existing facilities.
The dispute has strained UK-China relations, even as the Labour government seeks to attract foreign investment. Chancellor Rachel Reeves visited China earlier this year to encourage business ties, and Reynolds is expected to travel there later in 2025 despite his critical remarks.
The Chinese embassy questioned the UK’s stance, contrasting the backlash against Jingye with what it called a lack of criticism over trade policies like Donald Trump’s tariffs. “What on earth are they up to?” the embassy asked in a statement.
A UK government spokesperson responded, saying Britain would maintain a “strategic approach” to its relationship with China, balancing economic interests with national security concerns.
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