CONFIDENTIAL
47621 - 1
TO ENSURE THAT THE HIGHEST SAFETY STANDARDS ARE ADOPTED FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF THIS STATION. THE GOVERNMENT IS
CONFIDENT THAT THESE STANDARDS WILL BE ATTAINED. MOREOVER THE
HKG HAS A CONTINUING STAKE IN THE PROJECT THROUGH PARTICIPATION
IN THE HKNIC, THROUGH LOAN SUPPORT AND THROUGH ARRANGEMENTS
RELATED TO THE OFFTAKE OF ELECTRICITY FROM THE PLANT.
3.
EVEN HAD THERE BEEN NO SUCH INVOLVEMENT AND ASSURANCES,
IT SEEMS TO US NATURAL THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE SHOULD FEEL THAT
THEY MUST LOOK TO THEIR GOVERNMENT, WHEN THEY PERCEIVE A THREAT
TO THEIR SAFETY, TO EXAMINE IT, AND GIVE THEM ADVICE.
WHILE THE HKG'S PUBLIC POSITION ON THIS
IS VERY MUCH A MATTER FOR YOU, IT SEEMS TO US THAT A MORE READILY
DEFENSIBLE POSTURE COULD BE THAT YOU, AND WE ARE STUDYING
DEVELOPMENTS CLOSELY IN THE LIGHT OF PUBLIC ANXIETY FOLLOWING
CHERNOBYL, AND WILL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN, IN CONSULTATION WITH
THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AND THE JOINT VENTURE PARTNERS, TO MAKE
SURE HONG KONG PEOPLE ARE NOT EXPOSED TO ANY SIGNIFICANT RISK AS
A RESULT OF THE PROJECT. ANYTHING LESS THAN THIS COULD PERHAPS
INVITE FURTHER CRITICISM ALONG THE LINES OF THAT IN THE SCMP
EDITORIAL OF 30 JUNE.
HOWE
GUANGDONG
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