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(b) China would adopt French safety standards

while cross-checking these with international

standards:

6.

(c) China wished to learn from international

experience of building and

stations,

and

operating such

to support international

technical co-operation on safety.

at a

In Hong Kong NCNA have recently indicated senior level that they are concerned about the level of public criticism in Hong Kong. They said that they would

welcome it if the Hong Kong

Kong Government could stimulate

positive comments by e.g.

visiting scientists.

Additionally the NCNA also indicated that organisers_of the Chinese civil nuclear programme would be very happy to take advice from British experts. (NCNA were not claiming to speak for Peking but their line is likely to have been authorised.) This advice could be arranged under the terms of the Anglo-Chinese Nuclear Co-operation Agreement.

7.

Li Peng has asked HMA Peking twice in recent days about Hong Kong's reaction to Chernobyl. He indicated his

concern about the anxiety in Hong Kong and

in Hong Kong and expressed a

wish to raise the matter in London.

8

The Prime Minister and other Ministers raised the subject with Hu Yaobang and Li Peng when both visited UK earlier this month. The Chinese appeared to appreciate

the need for Hong Kong opinion to be reassured on the safety issue, but also took the view that Hong Kong's concerns would best be assuaged by HMG, rather than by

themselves.

CONFIDENTIAL

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