CONFIDENTIAL
a Hong Kong Nuclear Investment Company to invest in project and purchase electricity from it.
7.
During visit to Peking in July, UK Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) officials told Chinese that substantive talks would not be possible before November at earliest. Chinese appreciate that HKG is generally fully supportive of the project and that their role is vital; they also recognise that detailed study is complex and lengthy. Nevertheless they have expressed serious concern at delay, alleging that it is holding up preparatory works. DTI do not accept this; they believe that Guangdong authorities and CLP can and should continue to work towards producing full specification for project in anticipation of favourable decision from HKG.
However,
to give comfort to both the Chinese and CLP, HKG have issued letter of encouragement to CLP, supporting their continued detailed talks
with Chinese.
China Light and Power (CLP)
8. Chinese see involvement of CLP as critical to success of project. They are anxious to secure CLP's expertise in the construction and management of large power station projects, and to see CLP and Hong Kong interests generally tied into Guangdong project through significant equity holding.
Hong Kong Electric Company (HEC)
9.
HKG would like HEC to participate in Hong Kong equity holding in project and in purchase of electricity from it. HEC have stated that they back project for political reasons, but CLP have hitherto been reluctant to give them sufficient information to enable them fully to evaluate it.
Public opinion in Hong Kong
10.
So far project has received only routine coverage in Hong Kong press. However public interest, particularly in safety aspects, is likely to increase. Hong Kong Friends of the Earth are holding 1 nuclear debate on 21 September, and have invited Trevor Skeet MP and
Cyril Townsend MP to participate.
Hong Kong Department
September 1983
CONFIDENTIAL
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