I
We
were therefore pleased
that the Chinese
received the UMELCO delegation
before
authorities
contracts for the project were signed, and that China has
given
considerable publicity to the various
measures
authorities
which it intends to implement on safety. We feel that
these actions on the part of the Chinese
indicate that they are indeed taking proper account of
the views and concerns of Hong Kong people.
of course, no one can give an absolute assurance
that the operation
the operation of any power station, whether nuclear
conventional, will be entirely problem-free; the
report of the UMELCO fact-finding teams fully recognises
or
this. Against the very low probability of an
an accident,
provided
design,
safety aspects
construction
stations, must be set
are
properly observed in the
and operation of nuclear power
the undoubted benefits of nuclear
power. The British Government, like the governments of
virtually all major industrialist countries, is committed
to nuclear power to generate part of the energy needs.
it,
We
I hope that this will reassure you that we are
fully discharging our responsibilities for the safety of
the people of Hong Kong. We shall continue to do so.
dialogue intend to maintain and develop our dealings with
Chinese authorities over questions of nuclear safety.
the
4