TNAG-1500-FCO40-2058-Guangdong-nuclear-power-station-project-at-Daya-Bay-safety-c-1986 — Page 65

CONFIDENTIAL

ATOMIC ENERGY DIVISION DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Thames House South, Millbank. LONDON, SWIP 4QJ

Draft letter ands

Dr S A Harbison

-Guiin laag-

Telephone: Direct Line 01-211 5008

Switchboard 01-211 3000

Momotard clearance)

Nuclear Installations Inspectorate

7th Floor

Thames House South

Millbank

London SW1

Commentão 1630

3314

330

22 July 1986

Rel

PA

HKKIES!

HIC 166/1 нас

RECEIVED

4 AUG 1986

81/2

HONG KONG: DAYA BAY

EGISTRY

INDEX

PA

Action Taken

1. I am writing to you to record a brief talk which I had with Eddie Ryder before he went on leave and to seek your help in carrying matters forward.

2.

I do not need to remind you of the Chinese intention to build a PWR at Daya Bay, the importance which DTI and FCO attach to securing the contract for the turbines (and we here support them) or of the extreme political sensitivity which this project has acquired, in the aftermath of Chernobyl in Hong Kong. Eddie Ryder was fully aware of these points and I am sure that you are too.

3. One particular point of sensitivity in Hong Kong is Chinese operating and regulatory standards once the plant has been commissioned. The Hong Kong Government would naturally like to see people there reassured on this point if it is at all possible. One idea which we had been considering was of a visit to Beijing by the UKAEA. It became clear, however, that this idea had great inherent difficulties, and, further, Eddie Ryder could not agree that NII should participate.

4. An alternative which I am exploring with David Morphet's agreement is that the Chinese Government might be invited to send a party here to meet the NII and others involved and to discuss the problems of building up and maintaining a nuclear regulatory system under UK experience. It might be desirable for their itinerary to be extended to include discussions with the French inspectorate, although we should not assume that, because the French are building the plant, the regulatory system should necessarily follow French patterns. Their trip should also take in the IAEA in Vienna, who may be the best people to offer them support and advice in the longer term.

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