China urged the U.K. to act prudently on plans to nationalize British Steel, calling for respect toward market principles and corporate wishes while avoiding administrative coercion.
In a Thursday news release, China's commerce ministry vowed to closely monitor the situation and take strong measures to protect Chinese companies' rights.
"[W]hatever actions the British government takes, it should fully consider the enormous investment Chinese companies have made in British Steel," China's Ministry of Commerce said.
The U.K. government said it seized operational control from Chinese owner Jingye in April 2025, with full nationalization to follow as a new bill is set to be formally introduced to Parliament this week.
"Any decision to bring British Steel into public ownership would only be taken after the Bill receives Royal Assent, and if the public interest test set out in the legislation is met," the U.K. government added.