TNAG-1500-FCO40-2058-Guangdong-nuclear-power-station-project-at-Daya-Bay-safety-c-1986 — Page 155

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Discussion then turned to what action could be taken in the short term to help allay the worries of the Hong Kong populace given that the final contracts for construction of the power station were due to be signed in mid-October.

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At a meeting between D/En, FCO, DTI and Authority representatives in early July, the UTI representative had suggested, with FCO backing, that the "advisers to HKG", ie the Authority, might send a team to China

to help keep pressure on the Chinese to start putting into action their promises regarding the creation of a national safety capability and to assist the HKG to reassure HK opinion that they were taking all the appropriate steps to ensure the safety of Daya Bay. Both D/En and the Authority had expressed reservations about this idea because it could put the Authority in a false position with regard to its relationship with its customer and because of the practical difficulties of mounting a team at a time when demands on SRD were already very heavy.

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Dr. Wade again expressed disquiet at the prospect of an AEA team visiting China and Mr. Agrell floated the alternative idea of inviting the Chinese to visit regulatory authorities in the UK and, if possible, in France also. This was seen as an attractive option from a number of viewpoints but for a visit to be successful, co-operation from all elements of the UK nuclear scene would be essential. Nr. Agrell agreed to discuss the proposal with Departments and with NII. It was thought that, if agreed, an invitation could probably be issued very quickly and, even if the visit did not take place until after the contracts were signed, the fact of the visit having been arranged should go some way towards reassuring the Hong Kong people. it was thought that a possible "spin-off" of issuing an invitation for a Chinese team visit the UK might be the offer of a reciprocal invitation. We have since been informed that this approach has received formal blessing and the FCO are considering the best way to progress the invitation.

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