According to a report in the Sunday Times, the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) is weighing-up an approach for Balfour.
The CCECC is a state-backed business which evolved from the Ministry of Railways of China and it currently operates in more than 50 countries.
The Sunday Times said the CCECC is “understood to have sounded out industry figures about the feasibility of bidding for Britain’s biggest contractor.”
Balfour declined to comment on the report.
The Chinese are eyeing-up opportunities in infrastructure investment in the UK.
Last week the China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC) was awarded a £300m civils package on the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon.