Building 2 n-reactors for Pak,says China

Her comments also suggested Beijing may see no need to seek approval for the two new Chashma reactors from the Nuclear Suppliers Group NSG,an international council of governments. China appears positioned to argue that the two new units were part of an agreement made before it joined the NSG in 2004.

This project is based on an agreement signed between the two countries in 2003 about cooperation in the nuclear power field,Jiang said,citing plans to build the No. 3 and No. 4 reactors of about 300 megawatts each at Chashma. China has already notified the International Atomic Energy Agency about the relevant details,and invited the IAEA to exercise safeguards,said Jiang.

Up to now,Chinese government officials have been tight-lipped in public about the planned new units at Chashma,although the Chinese companies picked to build them have announced contract signings.

The expansion of Chinas nuclear power ties with Pakistan has magnified unease in Washington,Delhi and other capitals worried about Pakistans history of spreading nuclear weapons technology and its domestic instability.

Jiang was also asked about the China National Nuclear Corps statement Monday that it is in talks to build a 1-gigawatt nuclear reactor for Pakistan,in addition to the four smaller Chashma units. But she had less to say on this. We dont understand this matter. You can make further inquiries with the company, Jiang said.

To receive nuclear exports,nations that are not one of the five recognised atomic weapons states must place all their nuclear activities under the safeguards of the IAEA,say NSG rules.