George Osborne, the UK's finance minister, gave his word that Chinese enterprises will be allowed to take a stake in British nuclear power plants. He announced the decision during his visit to China's Taishan Nuclear Power Plant in Guangdong Province on Thursday.

His endorsement will probably signal the end of the marathon negotiation over the 14 billion pound ($22.63 billion) Hinkley Point project between China General Nuclear Power Group, Electricite De France and the British government.

Given the fact that the UK's nuclear plants are in dire need of private funding to keep their lights on, Chinese nuclear companies with abundant financial resources have become their primary potential partners.

It is being hailed as a win-win result for both Britain's and Chinese companies.

On the one hand, the UK will potentially open up China's expanding nuclear energy market and maintain abundant electricity supply for its own consumers. On the other hand, Chinese companies will get management experience by running advanced nuclear plants, and acquiring more qualifications in the nuclear power market.

But not everyone is pleased with the decision. Former UK energy policy adviser Nick Butler showed his concern in a Financial Times blog, saying the Chinese "will be inside the system, with access to the intricate architecture of the UK's National Grid and the processes through which electricity supply is controlled, as well as to the UK's nuclear technology."

This business deal even triggered the discontent of human rights activists. According to a BBC report, an Amnesty International spokesman said the deal "could be a dangerous precedent," because "If other countries see Britain doing business with China without mentioning human rights then they will follow suit."

It is understandable that some British might have concerns with a country's involvement in its lifeline industry.

Prejudice and value conflicts are not powerful enough to stop the trend of economic globalization, in which energy cooperation is also included. It should be noted that the current global economy has become an organic unity where capitals, energies, personnel and other economic elements interflow. It is collaboration that makes the world economy proceed.

Surely it happens almost in every country that along with the increasing inclusiveness of the global economy, concerns over national security will be created.

But as long as the mainstream of cooperation is on track and bilateral benefits can be guarded, there is no reason to overstate these fears.