Question: Lately, the UK required a Chinese technology company to withdraw its acquisition of Newport Wafer Fab, the largest semiconductor manufacturer in the UK, more than a year after the acquisition was completed, citing national security reasons. What is the comment of the Chinese Embassy in the UK?

Embassy Spokesperson: China-UK economic and trade cooperation is in nature mutually beneficial. Mutual investment between enterprises of the two countries is a normal commercial activity and should not be politicised or subject to intentional disruption. The UK side’s action of abusing the concept of national security and interfering in the normal investment cooperation of a Chinese company in the UK seriously violates the principles of market economy and international trade rules. China firmly opposes it.

The UK’s relevant move will only damage its own credibility and interests in the end. The Chinese side has noticed that the relevant company has made a statement on the issue, believing that what the UK side has done “sends a clear signal that the UK is closed for business”.

The Chinese side urges the UK side to stop politicising economic and trade issues, stop unreasonable suppression of Chinese companies, and provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment.