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15.
In his presentation, Dr. Blix briefed the Group
of his recent visit programme in China. He advised that
China seemed to be shifting to a more "restrained" nuclear development programme. Apart from adding a second unit to
the Qinshan plant, China had no other plans to install
further nuclear reactors. Instead China was planning to
expand its hydro and coal generation programmes. Dr. Blix
commented that the environmental problems associated with
coal-fired generation could be serious.
16.
On the nuclear programme, Dr. Blix said that China had many years of experience in nuclear development.
The Cultural Revolution had no doubt created a gap in
nuclear expertise, but China was quick to catch up. The young nuclear engineers had got good intellectual background and were keen to learn. Vice Premier Li Peng
had committed himself to the "Safety First Quality First"
policy.
17.
When asked about the Daya Bay plant, Dr. Blix
said that this had not been included in his visit
programme. He nevertheless had discussed this project with
some French experts in China. He said that the Daya Bay
reactors would be identical to other French 900 MW reactors
which had a proven safety record. Mr. Skjoeldebrand added
that he understood that the French would also win the
contract for the installation of the reactors.
18.
Dr. Blix stressed that the design of the Daya Bay
plant, which was modelled after the most up-to-date French
reactors, was completely different from the design of the
Chernobyl reactors. The Chernobyl reactors had some
apparent design weaknesses including the absence of a