China on Tuesday reacted cautiously to reports that the US is open to help Pakistan tap nuclear energy, saying any such co-operation should fulfil requirements of international non-proliferation commitments. "We believe that sovereign countries have the right to peacefully use nuclear energy with adequate safeguards," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a media briefing here on Tuesday.
Asked about reports that the US is ready to discuss Pakistan's request for nuclear power plants, he said: "We also believe that such co-operation should fulfil obligations of nuclear co-operation as well as their international commitments." Qin, however, said these reports had only appeared in the media and he cannot confirm it.
China shares close nuclear and military co-operation with Pakistan and has helped build two nuclear reactors at Chashma in Punjab each with 300 mw capacity. Pakistan has sought Chinese co-operation to build 1000 mw power plants and it also wants Beijing to forge a nuclear deal on the lines of US-India nuclear agreement. China has however not made any commitments in this regard.
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