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3.
The Governor has now proposed to us a long-term strategy designed to allay public fears in Hong Kong (Hong Kong Telno 1936). In a subsequent telegram (Hong Kong
Telno 1973) he has sounded a note of greater alarm, referring to the political benefits that could be obtained in Hong Kong if the Chinese were to decide now to move the
from Daya Bay or to convert project
it to a thermal
station. Sir R Evans has reacted strongly, pointing to the involved vis-a-vis the Chinese and
very
serious costs
French Governments (Peking Telno 1116).
4.
Our immediate task must be two-fold:
(a)
(b)
5.
to reassure
the Governor, and the Hong Kong
Government, that HMG and the French Government are doing everything possible both to bring home to the Chinese the extent and implications of Hong Kong
concerns, and to encourage them to respond by
demonstrating the highest commitment to safety
considerations;
to assist the Hong Kong Government in allaying public concern within the territory.
the
DTI
the
We discussed this at the DTI this morning.
Mr Benjamin,
Under-Secretary who coordinates Government's approach to the Daya Bay project, has already discussed with the French Government and the French nuclear industry what can be done. He is fully seized of the Hong Kong dimension and found the French ready to help in every
way.
6.
We shall be sending a telegram to the Governor this evening setting out a response to his proposed long-term and more strategy. We are doing almost all he proposes, besides. The first steps will be:
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