38. The public concern felt in Hong Kong was echoed in a debate in the Legislative Council on 16 July. In August, two fact-finding delegations of Council members visited Europe, the US and Japan to gain a better understanding of nuclear energy and the safety systems incorporated into the design of plants similar to the one to be built at Daya Bay. A report on their visits was published on their return, following which members of the delegations were invited to Peking by the Chinese Government to discuss its contents. They were assured by Chinese officials that those observations in the report which would enhance the safety of the plant and were technically and economically viable would be accepted. In confirming its intention to proceed with the project the Chinese Government further emphasised that it had taken, and would continue to take, all possible measures to ensure the safe construction and operation of the Daya Bay plant.
39. Having regard to its responsibilities for the welfare and well-being of the people of Hong Kong, Her Majesty's Government conveyed the concerns expressed in Hong Kong to the Chinese Government on several occasions. Following discussions with the other Governments concerned in the project Her Majesty's Government are confident that every effort will be made to ensure that the construction, operation and management of the Daya Bay plant will be carried out to the highest possible safety standards.
40. The contracts with the British and French companies supplying equipment for the plant, and the related loan agreements, were signed in Peking on 23 September. Since then attention in Hong Kong has focused largely on the safety and tariff aspects which were debated again in the Legislative Council on 15 October. On this occasion the Council passed a motion requesting the Hong Kong Government to provide “details of the arrangements regarding safety and tariff for the purchase of electricity from the Daya Bay nuclear power plant, together with such supporting documents as do not breach commercial confidentiality and to explain whether or not such arrangements will sufficiently safeguard the long term interests of the Hong Kong people". A report containing this information was issued on 10 November.
41. The Hong Kong Government is now engaged, with the help of the UK Atomic Energy Authority, in drawing up contingency plans which would be implemented in the unlikely event of an incident occurring at Daya Bay. In this regard a programme to monitor background radiation is being prepared so that any change in the levels of radiation in Hong Kong, subsequent to the commissioning of the Daya Bay plant, will be detected immediately. The UK Atomic Energy Authority has also been retained to carry out a risk assessment study and a programme of public education activities is under preparation by the Hong Kong Government in co-ordination with the Hong Kong Nuclear Investment Company.
VIII. Performance of the Economy
(a) General Situation
42. 1986 saw a marked upturn in the Hong Kong economy, led by a strong recovery in domestic exports since March. Domestic exports grew by 15 per cent in real terms, in the first 10 months of 1986, over the same period last year, in contrast with a decline of 5 per cent in 1985 as a whole. This recovery was attributable partly to improved demand for Hong Kong's products in many of its major overseas markets, and partly to improved external competitiveness caused by the depreciation of the Hong Kong dollar against most major currencies, in line with the depreciation of the US dollar under the linked exchange rate system. For the first 10 months of 1986 re-exports grew by 10 per cent in real terms.
43. The strong recovery in domestic exports has helped to maintain employment at a high level and to boost labour incomes. In the period September-November 1986, the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 2-4 per cent and the underemployment rate was 1.2 per cent. Employment continued to grow particularly in the financial and other business services sectors and in the distributive trades. Earnings in most sectors increased significantly both in money terms and in real terms.
44. In line with the improved economic conditions, private consumption demand has also firmed up, as reflected by the relatively high growth rates of retained imports of consumer goods and of foodstuffs, at 11 per cent and 10 per cent respectively in real terms in the first 10 months of 1986.
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