China, UK Clash Over British Steel and Investment

China's embassy in the UK has sharply criticized British politicians for their rhetoric regarding the Chinese-owned Jingye Group's management of British Steel, defending Jingye as a private investor that rescued the company from insolvency in 2020 and preserved thousands of jobs. Tensions rose after the UK government intervened to prevent the closure of the Scunthorpe plant by passing emergency legislation and signaling more stringent reviews of future Chinese investments in the steel sector. Chinese officials warned that politicizing business matters could harm investor confidence and UK-China trade, while also accusing British politicians of double standards compared to their approach toward US trade protectionism. The embassy highlighted the significant contributions of Chinese companies to the UK economy and urged protection of their legitimate interests. The dispute comes amid wider anxieties about foreign involvement in UK critical infrastructure. The episode underscores ongoing strains in UK-China relations.