EDF, the French nuclear power group, has become embroiled in a controversy over its ties with China, sparking renewed speculation about the future of the company’s chief executive, Henri Proglio.

France’s government – which owns 84 per cent of EDF, the world’s biggest generator of atomic-powered electricity by output – confirmed last week that it was opening an audit investigation into the French nuclear industry’s relations with foreign partners, including between EDF and CGNPC, the Chinese nuclear power group.

While EDF stressed that the probe by the Inspection Générale des Finances was industry-wide, the audit body’s examination of a failed alliance that Mr Proglio tried to broker in 2011 between EDF and CGNPC has led to rumours that he is being targeted by the government.