Hong Kong watching Chinese nuclear plant after leak reported

TIL Desk/World/Hong Kong/ Hong Kong’s leader said Tuesday her government is closely watching a nearby Chinese nuclear power plant following a news report that it might be leaking.

The plant’s operators have released few details, but nuclear experts say based on their brief public statement, the facility might be suffering a leak of gas from fuel rods inside a reactor.

Government data showed radiation levels in Hong Kong were normal Monday night, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said. Data on Tuesday from the Hong Kong Observatory showed radiation still normal.

A French company that helps manage the Taishan Nuclear Power Plant in Guangdong province said Monday it was dealing with a performance issue. It said the facility was operating within safe limits.

A report said U.S. authorities the power plant 135 kilometers (85 miles) west of Hong Kong might be leaking. With regards to foreign media reports about a nuclear plant in Taishan, Guangzhou, the Hong Kong government attaches a high degree of importance to this,” Lam said.