TNAG-1497-FCO40-2055-Guangdong-nuclear-power-station-project-at-Daya-Bay-safety-c-1986 — Page 14

programme was dependent on the outcome of the Sizewell Inquiry which would probably be reporting in September. This should make the position on future reactor choice clearer. The Secretary of State went on to recall that he had been in Moscow during the week preceding the Chernobyl accident. It had been clear from his discussions with senior Soviet Ministers, including those in charge

of the nuclear programme, that the Russians were committed in principle to doubling their nuclear capacity. Close contacts with the Russians since the accident had revealed that they intended to press ahead with this programme, although they were likely to accept the need for greater international collaboration, particularly on safety matters.

Li Peng said that he agreed with the Secretary of State's view on the importance of the Chernobyl accident. The biggest single UK/Chinese collaboration was on the Daya Bay power station; the Chinese Government attached great importance to proceeding with further nuclear development in order to increase its electricity capacity. They had reviewed their nuclear policy following the Chernobyl accident, but had concluded that, like the UK, the reactor systems presently employed and in prospect for China were based on significantly different technology from that used by the Russians at Chernobyl. It was however important to recognise the strength of public feelings which had been raised by the accident. There was for example public opposition in Hong Kong to the Daya Bay power station which was causing some difficulty for the China Light and Power Company. It would be helpful for the British

Government to use its influence to smooth out some of these

difficulties.

The Secretary of State said that he would shortly be making a major speech which analysed the world energy supply and demand position into the 21st Century. It was clear that on the present population and economic growth projections there would be enormous problems, particularly for the Third World if nuclear power could not play a significant role in energy supply. Thirty-five per cent of electricity in Europe was now generated by nuclear power; there had been no serious accident during the quarter of a century that this programme had been developed. It was important that the best international standards possible should be agreed and employed