News
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
China confirms 2 nuclear reactors for Pakistan
BEIJING: China on Tuesday gave its firmest government confirmation yet of plans to build two new nuclear reactors for Pakistan, but a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said she did not know about talks over a bigger reactor deal.
The spokeswoman, Jiang Yu, said China planned to help Pakistan expand the Chashma nuclear energy complex by building two reactors in addition to one already operating and another nearing completion.
“This project is based on an agreement signed between the two countries in 2003 about cooperation in the nuclear power field,” Jiang said.
Jiang was also asked about the China National Nuclear Corp’s statement on Monday that it is in talks to build a one-gigawatt nuclear reactor for Pakistan, in addition to the four smaller Chashma units built, being finished or planned.
“We don’t understand this matter. You can make further inquiries with the company,” Jiang said.
The Wall Street Journal earlier reported that China’s main nuclear power company was in talks with Pakistan to build a one-gigawatt nuclear power plant.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Office on Tuesday said Pakistan was holding talks with China to build a new nuclear power plant.
“We have an ongoing civil nuclear cooperation agreement with China which is according to our respective international obligations for peaceful purposes under the IAEA safeguards,” Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said. agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk