TNAG-1501-FCO40-2059-Guangdong-nuclear-power-station-project-at-Daya-Bay-safety-c-1986 — Page 221

RESTRICTED

52166 - 1

COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS MADE CLEAR IN ANSWER TO A QUESTION ON 15

JULY, WE HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING VERY CLOSELY THE EXPRESSIONS OF

CONCERN IN HONG KONG ABOUT THE PROPOSED NUCLEAR POWER PLANT AT

DAYA BAY, IN CHINA. WE ARE UNDERTAKING A NUMBER OF INITIATIVES

TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE CAN BE KEPT INFORMED AND GIVEN

REASSURANCES OF THE SAFETY MEASURES TO BE ADOPTED AT THE PLANT.

NOTE FOR SUPPLEMENTARIES

(IF ASKED WHETHER WE ARE IN TOUCH WITH THE CHINESE) WE ARE IN

CLOSE TOUCH WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES ON SAFETY AND OTHER

ASPECTS OF THE PROJECT.

1.

2.

(IF PRESSED ABOUT WHETHER WE HAVE MADE REPRESENTATIONS TOTHE

CHINESE REQUESTING THAT THE PLANT BE RE-SITED FURTHER AWAY FROM HONG KONG) CANNOT REVEAL DETAILS OF DIPLOMATIC EXCHANGES.

3. (IF ASKED WHAT IS HMG'S ATTITUDE TO THE PETITION) WE AWAIT A REPORT FROM THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ON THIS MATTER.

4. (IF NOTED ABOUT CONTINGENCY PLANNING IN HONG KONG) THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS DRAWING UP PLANS TO ENSURE THE GREATEST

POSSIBLE DEGREE OF SAFETY FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG IN THE

UNLIKELY EVENT OF A NUCLEAR ACCIDENT. TO THIS END, THE UNITED

KINGDOM ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY HAS BEEN RETAINED AS CONSULTANT

TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.

HOWE

OCMIAN 2166

GUANGDONG

[COPIES SENT TO NO 10 DOWNING STREET]

LIMITED

HKD

FED

ADDITIONAL DISTRIBUTION

GUANGDONG NUCLEAR

PS

NED

TRED

PRU

PUSD(MR CROWLEY)

WED

PS/MR RENTON PS/PUS

SIR W HARDING

MR DAUNT

MR WILSON MR SLATER

2

RESTRICTED