A two-day inter-departmental exercise based on the Daya Bay Contingency Plan (DBCP) and codenamed "Checkerboard II" commenced today (December 20) to test the response capabilities of the Government in dealing with serious nuclear incidents.

     The Chief Executive, the Chief Secretary for Administration and a number of Principal Officials, together with representatives from some 30 bureaux, departments and organisations, participated in today's exercise. They took actions and interacted in response to a simulated nuclear accident, demonstrating judgement, efficiency and knowledge in responding to an emergency.

     The starting scenario of the exercise on the first day simulated a chain of equipment fault events at the Guangdong Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station (GNPS), leading to a potential off-site emergency situation involving a release of radioactive materials. The subsequent simulated plots and government’s response actions are as follows:

     Upon notification of the incident in the exercise this morning, the Government soon activated the DBCP and the Emergency and Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC) under the Security Bureau, and informed the public of the emergency situation through the media. The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO), Department of Health and relevant government departments immediately conducted environmental radiation monitoring and assessment and provided timely updates on the situation.

     In a simulated response to the incident, the Chief Executive's Steering Group convened a meeting and deliberated on recommendations made by the Implementation Task Force led by the Secretary for Security. Among the recommendations were precautionary evacuation of the area of Hong Kong within 20 kilometers of the GNPS, stepped-up radiation monitoring, and enhanced monitoring of imported food from the Mainland and locally produced food as well as fresh water and sea water.

     In the exercise, the Chief Executive and the Chief Secretary for Administration, accompanied by the Secretary for Security, inspected the operation of the EMSC in co-ordinating with relevant bureaux and departments to handle the nuclear emergency, and learned more about the latest situation.

     Also, the capability of adopting appropriate precautionary measures was tested. About 100 villagers and visitors in Tung Ping Chau were evacuated by the Police. The Government Flying Service also deployed a helicopter to convey police reinforcements to sweep the island. Two police launches swiftly transported the evacuees to Ma Liu Shui Ferry Pier for radiation monitoring to ensure they were not contaminated.

     The exercise continued in the afternoon.

Ends/Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:33

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