2015年CRI Talks of Infrustructure Projects Gains Attention ahead of Xi's UK Visit

 

As Chinese national flags fly alongside British Union Jacks¹ in London to herald² the upcoming state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Sino-UK cooperation projects are among the heated topics in the UK.

During his recent visit to China, Chancellor³ of Exchequer⁴ George Osborne announced that the UK government will underwrite the Chinese funding of the Hinkley Point nuclear power station, which has raised speculation⁵ that the two sides will seal the deal during Xi Jinping's visit to the UK.

Martin Freer, a professor of nuclear physics at the University of Birmingham and director of the Birmingham Energy Institute, explains that to meet the UK's target of reducing carbon emissions⁶ by 40% by 2030, the country needs to develop its nuclear power stations with overseas investment.

"So to get to 40% requires a massive investment in nuclear energy and the UK doesn't have the capability⁷ to deliver that investment, it hasn't built a nuclear reactor⁸ in the last 25-30 years. It doesn't have substantial nuclear industry which can build reactors⁹ and therefore needs companies from overseas to join the venture," said Freer.

He said China is a likely partner in the UK's nuclear power-station development because the nuclear industry is very active in China.

He also said China has the biggest building program for nuclear power plants in the world.

"This is an opportunity for China to understand the culture in the UK market. Once they have understood the culture and subsequently brought their technology to the UK, this becomes a shop window to the world. If China can bring Chinese nuclear plants to the UK which is one of the most challenging places to get a reactor through the regulation system, then you can sell the technology worldwide, so this is a great market opportunity for the Chinese companies. "

Another possible Sino-UK cooperation project that has been at the center of attention is the UK's high speed two (HS2) rail.

The planned link will connect a cluster of cities in northern England including Manchester and Liverpool.

It will play a significant role in the UK's "Northern Powerhouse" scheme proposed by Chancellor of Exchequer George Osborne.

Jin Xu, Minister Counselor¹⁰ of the Economic and Commercial Office of the Chinese embassy in London, said the project has attracted Chinese investors¹¹' attention and will open new channels for Sino-UK business cooperation.

"In areas including high speed rail construction and other infrastructure¹² development, the 'Northern Powerhouse' project will generate vast potentials for China-UK cooperation. The boost to England's traditional industry powers will create a win-win situation for both sides."

During his state visit, Chinese President Xi Jinping will travel to Manchester to hear about UK's plans to revive its northern cities and looking at prospects¹³ of Sino-UK cooperation in the football industry.

1 jacks   

n.抓子游戏；千斤顶( jack的名词复数 )；（电）插孔；[电子学]插座；放弃

参考例句：

• Hydraulic jacks under the machine produce the movement. 是机器下面的液压千斤顶造成的移动。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The front end is equipped with hydraulic jacks used for grade adjustment. 前瑞安装有液压千斤顶用来调整坡度。 来自辞典例句

2 herald   

vt.预示...的来临，预告，宣布，欢迎

参考例句：

• In England, the cuckoo is the herald of spring.在英国杜鹃鸟是报春的使者。
• Dawn is the herald of day.曙光是白昼的先驱。

3 chancellor   

n.(英)大臣；法官；(德、奥)总理；大学校长

参考例句：

• They submitted their reports to the Chancellor yesterday.他们昨天向财政大臣递交了报告。
• He was regarded as the most successful Chancellor of modern times.他被认为是现代最成功的财政大臣。

4 exchequer   

n.财政部；国库

参考例句：

• In Britain the Chancellor of the Exchequer deals with taxes and government spending.英国的财政大臣负责税务和政府的开支。
• This resulted in a considerable loss to the exchequer.这使国库遭受了重大损失。

5 speculation   

n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机

参考例句：

• Her mind is occupied with speculation.她的头脑忙于思考。
• There is widespread speculation that he is going to resign.人们普遍推测他要辞职。

6 emissions   

排放物( emission的名词复数 )； 散发物（尤指气体）

参考例句：

• Most scientists accept that climate change is linked to carbon emissions. 大多数科学家都相信气候变化与排放的含碳气体有关。
• Dangerous emissions radiate from plutonium. 危险的辐射物从钚放散出来。

7 capability   

n.能力；才能；(pl)可发展的能力或特性等

参考例句：

• She has the capability to become a very fine actress.她有潜力成为杰出演员。
• Organizing a whole department is beyond his capability.组织整个部门是他能力以外的事。

8 reactor   

n.反应器；反应堆

参考例句：

• The atomic reactor generates enormous amounts of thermal energy.原子反应堆发出大量的热能。
• Inside the reactor the large molecules are cracked into smaller molecules.在反应堆里，大分子裂变为小分子。

9 reactors   

起反应的人( reactor的名词复数 )； 反应装置； 原子炉； 核反应堆

参考例句：

• The TMI nuclear facility has two reactors. 三哩岛核设施有两个反应堆。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法
• The earliest production reactors necessarily used normal uranium as fuel. 最早为生产用的反应堆，必须使用普通铀作为燃料。

10 counselor   

n.顾问，法律顾问

参考例句：

• The counselor gave us some disinterested advice.顾问给了我们一些无私的忠告。
• Chinese commercial counselor's office in foreign countries.中国驻国外商务参赞处。

11 investors   

n.投资者，出资者( investor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a con man who bilked investors out of millions of dollars 诈取投资者几百万元的骗子
• a cash bonanza for investors 投资者的赚钱机会

12 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

13 prospects   

n.希望，前途(恒为复数)

参考例句：

• There is a mood of pessimism in the company about future job prospects. 公司中有一种对工作前景悲观的情绪。
• They are less sanguine about the company's long-term prospects. 他们对公司的远景不那么乐观。