Nuclear cooperation with Pakistan to continue: China
Beijing: China on Monday said close cooperation with Pakistan on nuclear energy will continue as it was for “peaceful purposes”.
The two countries have cooperated on civilian nuclear energy for years, she told a daily news briefing when asked to comment on reports about the construction of the mega nuclear power plant in the Pakistani port city of Karachi.
On November 26, Pakistan began work on the nuclear complex in Karachi that will have two Chinese reactors with a capacity of 2,200 MW. The project is estimated to cost USD 9.6 billion and will be completed in six years.
China’s nuclear trade and cooperation with Pakistan have caused significant concern in India and the West, which believe the new plants will free Pakistan’s older reactors to produce uranium for weapons.
But Hua said the cooperation helps to ease Pakistan’s electricity shortage and is in the interest of local people. China will continue to provide assistance within its ability, she said.
China attaches great importance to peaceful use of nuclear energy and cooperates with various countries on the premise of strict adherence to non-proliferation, Hua said.
