TNAG-1499-FCO40-2057-Guangdong-nuclear-power-station-project-at-Daya-Bay-safety-c-1986 — Page 92

TUM

BRIEF FOR PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION FROM THE LORD RODNEY

GUANGDONG NUCLEAR STATION AND NUCLEAR SAFETY :

Background

1. GEC have been awarded a Letter of Intent for the turbine

generators for a nuclear power station at Daya Bay in Guangdong province in China. This project has been pursued jointly with Framatome of France, who are supplying the nuclear reactors.

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Government officials have been heavily involved in the negotiations which have lasted since 1979. Contracts are expected to be signed in the Autumn.

Following the Chernobyl accident there has been increased concern in Hong Kong about nuclear safety issues. Daya Bay is 50Km from Hong Kong. There is a considerable body in Hong Kong now opposed to building the plant.

A number of measures are contemplated to alleviate public concern. Our principal objective is to get the Chinese to adopt and publicise the necessary measures to ensure safe construction and in particular operation of the plant. An Anglo-French approach is planned to the Chinese authorities shortly to emphasise the importance of this. This will be followed up by invitations to senior members of the Hong Kong community to visit France and technical contact with the Chinese.