TNAG-1501-FCO40-2059-Guangdong-nuclear-power-station-project-at-Daya-Bay-safety-c-1986 — Page 50

AUG 07 86 14:31 TIBCOOL) HK GOVT

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Mr Tso, who had just returned from a visit to the Daya Bay site, said he had observed that the safety aspect of the plant was carefully

considered.

He criticised the Government for not providing enough information on nuclear energy to the public.

Ming Pao quoted the general secretary of NCNA HK branch Yang Qi as saying that his branch office in HK would fully reflect HK people's views on the Daya Bay project to Peking. He felt that there was no need to set up a special group or to conduct a survey to collect views on

the issue.

The Centre Daily News continued to criticise Ming Pao's anti-Daya Bay plant stand. The paper said Ming Pao's stand on the issue was contradictory.

Yu Mak of New Evening Post felt that Secretary for Economic Services John Yaxley had obtained valuable information on nuclear energy from his recent trips to Britain and France, The information obtained by Mr Yaxley, together with those to be collected by Leg.co delegates during their study missions, would help HK people understand more about the Daya Bay plant.

In the English press, the Standard reported in its front page that the British Government believed that anxiety in HK about the safety aspects of the Daya Bay nuclear plant were misplaced.

The paper said the British Government was out to calm fears and lower the emotional tone of discussions. It said a series of written replies in the House of Commons on Friday were aimed at allaying HK'e fears.

In short, the answers said that contacts with China over various aspects of the nuclear plant would continue and that the HK Government was drawing up plane to ensure the safety of the population in the unlikely event of a nuclear accident.

The answers also said that London was following 'very closely'

HK'a concern.

Sunday, July 27: Financial Secretary Piers Jacobs reiterated on ATV-E's "Newsline" at the weekend that HK's credibility would be damaged if the Government withdrew its support for the Daya Bay project unilaterally.