‘Pak, China N-cooperation is under IAEA safeguards’

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China on Thursday said its proposed two new nuclear reactors for Pakistan are “totally consistent” with its international obligations and safeguards of the IAEA, but remained mum on whether it would formally inform the NSG about its decision.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said the nuclear cooperation between the two countries was for peaceful purposes. “The cooperation is totally in consistent with our international obligations and entirely meant for peaceful purposes and is under the International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards and supervision,” he said in response to a question.
On reports that China would formally inform the 46- member NSG in New Zealand on Thursday about the deal with Pakistan, he said he has no information in this regard. Earlier, in a written response to a questions the spokesman said: “I would like to reiterate that for some years China and Pakistan have cooperation in the field of civilian nuclear energy and such cooperation complies with international obligations of the two countries and completely for peaceful purposes.” “It is also subjected to IAEA safeguards,” he said.
China’s plans to build two nuclear reactors came to light when state-owned China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) announced in April this year that it will export nuclear power reactors to Pakistan in a $2.375-billion agreement.
This is in addition to two nuclear reactors built by China at Chashma in Pakistan’s Punjab province. The US had last week asked China to clarify the details of the deal, but stopped short of publicly opposing it. Foreign secretary Nirupama Rao had on Tuesday said India was monitoring the debate on the issue.
On Wednesday, the state-run China Daily said Beijing is likely to go ahead with its decision to “finance” the construction of two 650 MW nuclear power plants in Pakistan disregarding the concerns raised by India and the US.
It is expected to announce its decision at the NSG meeting being held in New Zealand on Thursday, the paper had said.