TNAG-1505-FCO40-2063-Guangdong-nuclear-power-station-project-at-Daya-Bay-safety-c-1986 — Page 110

I

We

were therefore pleased

that the Chinese

received the UMELCO delegation

before

authorities

contracts for the project were signed, and that China has

given

considerable publicity to the various

measures

authorities

which it intends to implement on safety. We feel that

these actions on the part of the Chinese

indicate that they are indeed taking proper account of

the views and concerns of Hong Kong people.

of course, no one can give an absolute assurance

that the operation

the operation of any power station, whether nuclear

conventional, will be entirely problem-free; the

report of the UMELCO fact-finding teams fully recognises

or

this. Against the very low probability of an

an accident,

provided

design,

safety aspects

construction

stations, must be set

are

properly observed in the

and operation of nuclear power

the undoubted benefits of nuclear

power. The British Government, like the governments of

virtually all major industrialist countries, is committed

to nuclear power to generate part of the energy needs.

it,

We

I hope that this will reassure you that we are

fully discharging our responsibilities for the safety of

the people of Hong Kong. We shall continue to do so.

dialogue intend to maintain and develop our dealings with

Chinese authorities over questions of nuclear safety.

the

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