Beijing: China 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 United States.
It is expected to announce its decision at the Nuclear
Security Group meeting being held in New Zealand tomorrow.
"China will likely go ahead with financing the
construction of two nuclear reactors in Pakistan despite
concerns from other countries," state-run China Daily today
quoted Chinese experts as saying.
"China is expected to announce its plans to build the
reactors in Pakistan`s Punjab province at the 46-member NSG
meeting in New Zealand. Meanwhile, the United States, with
heavy lobbying from India, is reportedly raising doubts over
the legitimacy of the deal," it said in its report.
The report in the official daily is regarded as a sort
of an official announcement as Chinese Foreign Ministry so far
has declined to say anything directly concerning China`s plans
to build new reactors in Pakistan. It only said that its
cooperation with Islamabad concerning the civil nuclear is for
peaceful purposes and being carried under the safeguards and
supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency, (IAEA).
The write up in the daily comes after the recently
concluded visit of Pakistan Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez
Kayani during which Chinese Defence Minister Liang Guanglie
announced that "China would join hands with Pakistan to bring
military relations to a new high".
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 USD 2.375-billion
agreement.
This is in addition to two nuclear reactors built by
China at Chashma in Pakistan`s Punjab province.
Zhai Dequan, deputy secretary-general of the China
Arms Control and Disarmament Association, defended China`s
plans to build new reactors saying that China has been helping
Pakistan with reactors earlier.
"This is not the first time China has helped Pakistan
build nuclear reactors, and since it will be watched by the
International Atomic Energy Agency, the deal is not going to
have any problems," Zhai said, adding the US will not pressure
China too much as it previously struck a deal with India.
The US last week asked China to clarify the details of
the deal, but stopped short of publicly opposing it, the daily
said in its report.
In 2008, the NSG - which represents the 46 countries
that control the world`s atomic trade - made an exemption
allowing Washington to sell civil nuclear technology to New
Delhi.
PTI
