LONDON: China’s leader is expected to put the seal later on its contribution to what will be the first UK nuclear power plant to be built in a generation.
The plant could be opened by 2025 at Hinkley Point, in Somerset, with China likely to cover about 30% of the cost.
President Xi Jinping is meeting Prime Minister David Cameron later, on the second day of his UK state visit.
More than £30bn worth of deals between the UK and China are expected to be struck during the four-day visit.
The plant will be built by French energy firm EDF, in conjunction with a consortium led by Chinese state-owned nuclear company CGN.
Two other nuclear power stations, at Sizewell in Suffolk, and Bradwell in Essex, could follow as part of the deal with China.