VBLAUK (2)
(c)
CONFIDENTIAL
SIR Y K PAO'S CHEVENING WEEKEND: 13-14 SEPTEMBER
Hong Kong: Daya Bay
Background
1.
The Secretary of State is aware of the background.
2.
The reports of the LEGCO panel's overseas visits have been
published; they are objective, and avoid taking a view on the desirability for Hong Kong of the project. The LEGCO panel members are to visit Peking around 15-18 September, and we understand that
contracts should be signed around 23 September. We regard the Chinese invitation to the panel to visit Peking as very helpful, particularly if the visitors are sensitively handled in Peking and a decent interval is allowed to elapse before contract signature.
3.
During the visit to London by the Governor and members of
EXCO on 9-12 September, Ministers assured
Ministers assured the Hong Kong delegation that we take seriously our responsibility for the safety of
of the
people of Hong Kong: to this end, we have stressed their concerns to
the Chinese Government on several occasions. They said that in the light of our discussions with the Chinese and French governments, we are confident that every effort will be made to ensure that the
construction, operation and management of the plant will be carried
out to the highest possible safety standards.
CONFIDENTIAL