CONFIDENTIAL
ATOMIC ENERGY DIVISION DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Thames House South, Millbank. LONDON, SWIP 4QJ
Draft letter ands
Dr S A Harbison
-Guiin laag-
Telephone: Direct Line 01-211 5008
Switchboard 01-211 3000
Momotard clearance)
Nuclear Installations Inspectorate
7th Floor
Thames House South
Millbank
London SW1
Commentão 1630
3314
330
22 July 1986
Rel
PA
HKKIES!
HIC 166/1 нас
RECEIVED
4 AUG 1986
81/2
HONG KONG: DAYA BAY
EGISTRY
INDEX
PA
Action Taken
1. I am writing to you to record a brief talk which I had with Eddie Ryder before he went on leave and to seek your help in carrying matters forward.
2.
I do not need to remind you of the Chinese intention to build a PWR at Daya Bay, the importance which DTI and FCO attach to securing the contract for the turbines (and we here support them) or of the extreme political sensitivity which this project has acquired, in the aftermath of Chernobyl in Hong Kong. Eddie Ryder was fully aware of these points and I am sure that you are too.
3. One particular point of sensitivity in Hong Kong is Chinese operating and regulatory standards once the plant has been commissioned. The Hong Kong Government would naturally like to see people there reassured on this point if it is at all possible. One idea which we had been considering was of a visit to Beijing by the UKAEA. It became clear, however, that this idea had great inherent difficulties, and, further, Eddie Ryder could not agree that NII should participate.
4. An alternative which I am exploring with David Morphet's agreement is that the Chinese Government might be invited to send a party here to meet the NII and others involved and to discuss the problems of building up and maintaining a nuclear regulatory system under UK experience. It might be desirable for their itinerary to be extended to include discussions with the French inspectorate, although we should not assume that, because the French are building the plant, the regulatory system should necessarily follow French patterns. Their trip should also take in the IAEA in Vienna, who may be the best people to offer them support and advice in the longer term.
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