TNAG-1500-FCO40-2058-Guangdong-nuclear-power-station-project-at-Daya-Bay-safety-c-1986 — Page 16

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LB 2ADP

BACKGROUND

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CONFIDENTIAL

HICK 160/1

RECEIVED 12

INDEX

28 JUL 1986

НКК 166/1

345'

He

Mr Parry regularly asks Questions about Hong Kong. has signed an Early Day Motion, for which we have provided briefing for possible use on 24 July by the leader of the

House of Commons.

Attitudes in Hong Kong post-Chernobyl

2. Since Chernobyl there has been great discussion in Hong Kong about the implications for the territory of a nuclear accident at Daya Bay, about 30 miles from Hong Kong, where a PWR nuclear power station is being built to supply power in large measure (70%) to Hong Kong from 1993. It will have 25% Hong Kong and 75% PRC ownership.

3. Doubts have been expressed about the ability of the Chinese to build and operate the plant safely. A petition urging suspension of the project is said to have attracted 1 million signatures. Some Hong Kong people have argued that a Chinese decision to keep the nuclear plant at Daya Bay would indicate that China would not regard Hong Kong's views as important in other respects either before or after 1997. There is a general view in Hong Kong's Legislative Council that contracts for the project should not be signed until its own investigations are completed in September.

4. During Hu Yaobang's visit to UK, Hong Kong's concerns were raised with the

the Chinese by the Prime Minister and

other Ministers. The Chinese response to suggestions that China act to allay these concerns was that any action they take should be in conjunction with efforts by HMG, in view of our responsibility for Hong Kong. HM Ambassador at Peking saw Li reng (a vice-Premier) on 15 July and exhorted the Chinese to take effective steps to reassure Hong Kong opinion.

CONFIDENTIAL