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China to build more nuclear reactors for Pakistan
A new potential dispute between the US and China is opening up as Beijing goes public with its plans to export two more nuclear reactors to Pakistan, in a deal that will raise questions about controls on nuclear technology.Chinese officials have admitted privately since earlier this year that they planned to go ahead with the long-mooted plan to sell Pakistan two more nuclear reactors, in addition to the one reactor it has already built and a second under construction. However, Beijing has this week publicly acknowledged the plan for the first time. Jiang Yu, a spokeswoman at the Chinese foreign ministry, said that Beijing had already informed the International Atomic Energy Agency of the new agreement with Pakistan. Meanwhile, an industry official at China National Nuclear Corporation told a conference this week that China was discussing with Pakistan the construction of a one gigawatt nuclear reactor far larger than the two 300MW reactors in the initial agreement. A senior Pakistani government official revealed that China had offered to extend extremely concessional financial terms for the nuclear agreement, which, he said, has made possible what would have simply been impossible for cost reasons. Without elaborating the exact terms offered by Beijing, the official said; Our Chinese brothers have left it to us to decide how much time we need to pay back their money. I can also say to you, the interest rates are very soft. Posted by: 2010-09-24 |
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