China defends deal to build 1000 MW nuclear plant for Pak

Beijing: Tacitly confirming reports of signing of an agreement with Pakistan to build a huge 1000 MW nuclear power plant, China on Monday defended the deal saying that it confirmed to safeguards of the IAEA and rejected allegations that it has violated Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) norms. “China has noted the relevant report,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a media briefing in Beijing on Monday. [caption id=“attachment_674673” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Getty Image[/caption] He was replying to a question on reports from Washington that Beijing has secretly entered a deal with Pakistan to construct the plant at Chashma in Punjab province. On allegations that the deal violated the norms set by 46-member NSG, which regulates the issues relating to nuclear proliferation and commerce, Hong said, “I want to point out that relevant cooperation between China and Pakistan does not violate relevant norms of the NSG.” In recent years, China and Pakistan have had some cooperation in the field of civilian nuclear cooperation, he said. All this cooperation is for peaceful use and this cooperation is in compliance with our respective international obligations and subject to the safeguards of the IAEA, Hong said. A Washington-based news report had said two days ago that China has secretly signed the deal to construct a new power plant at Chashma. China has so far aided and assisted Pakistan in constructing four power plants at Chashma. Chashma I and II were stated to be 300 MW each and as per the previous plans the III and IV were stated to have 340 MW each. While I and II were already commissioned, three and four were expected to be commissioned in 2016. It is not clear whether the 1000 MW reactor would be a fifth one to be constructed there or the third reactor would be upgraded. PTI