Beijing warns Britain against "politicising" an unfolding spat over the future of Chinese-owned British Steel after legislation was approved to prevent the shutdown of the last British factory that can make steel from scratch.
The move came after owners Jingye said it was no longer financially viable to keep the furnaces burning.
"It is hoped that the British government will... avoid politicising trade cooperation or linking it to security issues," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian says.
Britain's Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has said London was "naive" to let the Chinese firm take over part of the sensitive steel industry.