Out in open: China tells IAEA it’ll sell n-reactors to Pakistan

This is the first official confirmation from Beijing on the sale of the reactors,and is being read alongside Monday’s announcement by Qiu Jiangang,vice-president of state-run China National Nuclear Corporation,that it is in discussions with Pakistan to also build a new 1 gigawatt reactor.

China told the IAEA that the reactors would be placed under international safeguards. Such a notification normally comes from the recipient country,not the supplier.

In issuing the notification,China has ensured that all key members of the 46-member Nuclear Suppliers Group are aware of its intent. Many NSG members had anticipated that China would inform them about the sale at the NSG plenary in Christchurch earlier this year. But Beijing had made no official announcement.

To proceed with the sale,China will need to now obtain an exemption for Pakistan from the NSG. The US and other influential members are against the move,which is expected to lead to a diplomatic row.

China joined NSG in 2004. A member can honour previous commitments even if they are not in line with NSG guidelines. NSG members say Chashma 1 and 2 were part of that agreement,but it did not include construction of two more reactors.