TNAG-1507-FCO40-2065-Guangdong-nuclear-power-station-project-at-Daya-Bay-safety-c-1986 — Page 11

GINAIY

BACKGROUND

1.

Although not stated in

the Question, we believe that Mr Cook

the Daya Bay nuclear power

is referring to safety in the context

context of the Daya

project, on which he asked six questions in the last few days.

2.

to build a nuclear

power

Since Chernobyl, China's proposal

station at Daya Bay, some 50 kilometres from Hong Kong,

from Hong Kong, has aroused

widespread concern in Hong Kong about the implications for the

territory of a nuclear accident at the station. A petition urging

the Chinese to abandon the project was claimed to contain over one

million signatures.

3.

Members of Hong Kong's Legislative Council visited nuclear

installations in third countries during the summer

to acquire

information on nuclear safety. They were subsequently invited to

Peking. They were assured by the Chinese Government that safety and

quality are given top priority in China's nuclear planning. The

Chinese authorities have responded positively to the panel's

observations on nuclear safety.

4.

to

The main contracts for the project were signed on 23

September; French organisations are to supply the nuclear technology

and expertise (including training of key staff), and GEC is

supply turbines in a contract worth some £250M. Since contract

signature, public interest in the subject in the Hong Kong has

subsided somewhat, and is now focussed on the price that Hong Kong

consumers will pay for electricity from the station.

the

power generated a t Daya Bay will go to

operating company's equity is Hong Kong-owned.

Some 70% of

Hong Kong; 25% of the