Pak-China talks on nuke power sharing underway

Pakistan and China are sorting out "some technical issues" before signing a nuclear power sharing agreement wherein Beijing would help Islamabad build six 300 mw nuclear power plants in this country, similar to the one at Chasma constructed with Chinese assistance.

The much-speculated nuclear deal for the construction of the six reactors failed to materialise during the November visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao to Pakistan because the two countries have to sort out "some technical issues", local daily The Nation quoted Pakistan officials as saying.

Pakistan's Atomic Energy Commission and the China National Nuclear Corporation were expected to sign a power-sharing pact after the conclusion of technical-level talks, which is underway, they said.

Under the deal, Pakistan wants China to construct six 300 mw nuclear power plants. China has already constructed a 350 mw plant at Chasma in Pakistan and building a second plant.

China itself recently signed an agreement with the United States to build three 1100 mw nuclear plants for it.