Pakistan

China defends nuclear deal with Pakistan

China on Thursday defended its nuclear cooperation with Pakistan as peaceful.

Afp June 17, 2010

BEIJING: China on Thursday defended its nuclear cooperation with Pakistan as peaceful after the United States announced it had sought clarification from Beijing on the sale of two reactors to Islamabad.

"China and Pakistan have maintained cooperation in recent years in the civilian use of nuclear energy," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Qin Gang told reporters when asked about the US reaction to the deal.

"This cooperation is in line with our respective international obligations and totally for peaceful purposes, and has International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards and supervision."

The state-run China National Nuclear Corporation has agreed to finance two civilian nuclear reactors in Pakistan's Punjab province.

The deal came after China in 2004 entered the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), a group of nuclear energy states that forbids exports to nations lacking strict International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards.

On Tuesday, US State Department spokesman Philip Crowley told reporters the United States had asked China to clarify details of the deal, which he said must be approved by the NSG.

COMMENTS (5)

farhan | 14 years ago | Reply Why USA has problems with every energy project of Pakistan? They have problems with Pak-Iran gas pipeline too, though, they know very well that energy is the prime need of todays world. When every country is seeking reliable energy, including USA, then why Uncle Sam is so concerned with Pakistan only. USA knows very well that Pakistan has limited options as far energy is concerned, instead of helping Pakistan, they have taken an uncomprehensible stand on Pakistan.

ZAMEER | 14 years ago | Reply I believe that this deal will be finalized with out taking pressure of any nation in the world.

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Syed A. Mateen | 14 years ago | Reply Thank you People’s Republic of China for assisting Pakistan.

Airbus101 | 14 years ago | Reply Just drop a hint of blocking the Nato supply tankers and let the fuel dry up in Afghanistan and we will witness the US changing policy in no time having said that who will do such a thing against the AMERICANS.....

paix mundi | 14 years ago | Reply the american "objection" to the Pak-Sino deal is yet another blatant example of america's designs to undermine Pakistan. the all-sniffing america did not know about the deal? what was the point in raising doubts about it? China makes it abundantly clear that: “This cooperation is in line with our respective international obligations and totally for peaceful purposes, and has International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards and supervision.” did america apply the same standards when it sold nuclear stuff to india? or to israel? Pakistan must safeguard its national interest. america is no friend of Pakistan. it has never been and never will be.

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