TNAG-2828-FCO40-4081-Hong-Kong-Guangdong-nuclear-power-station--Daya-Bay--China-1993 — Page 120

DIVISION. DTI

ID:071-828-7284

01 MAR '93

9:50 No.007 P.04

4. Hong Kong lies within the emergency planning zone of Daya Bay

Nuclear Power Station. It obtains 75% of its water, 34% of

its fresh foodstuffs, 84% of its livestock and poultry, and

49% of its milk from China. It is essential that Hong Kong

should be

immediate information on all

standby/plant/on-site and off-site incidents. Without such

warning, it would be too late for Hong Kong to implement

necessary counter-measures.

given

full and

too

late

5.

It is

cause a

even

for concern therefore that in the talks that

have taken place the Chinese side have hitherto said that

they are only able to discuss off-site emergencies, and that

in those cases they are not prepared to transmit

information to Hong Kong unless they decide that the

emergency will pose a serious threat to Hong Kong

to Hong Kong and have

obtained clearance from the central government. The IAEA

Convention makes clear that any information which may (not

just will) have a trans-boundary effect has to be notified

promptly.

6.

The UK hopes that the Chinese side can take these concerns

seriously. If adequate arrangements are not in place soon

there are likely to be serious political problems in Hong

Kong. The paper the Hong Kong authorities presented at

at the

first round of talks in June 1992 lists the areas

agreement is sought.

where

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