Pak says ‘no’ to nuke agreement with China
Saturday, October 11, 2008 at 2:10 am under World News Pak says ‘no’ to nuke agreement with China
Notwithstanding its oft-repeated assertions that it wanted a nuclear deal on the lines of the Indo-US agreement, Pakistan on Friday (October 10) said that there was no need for any new pact with China, a close ally with which it was already cooperating in the field of nuclear technology.
Pakistan and China are already cooperating in nuclear technology through projects like the Chasma atomic power project, Foreign Office Spokesman Mohammad Sadiq told reporters when asked whether Islamabad will seek a civil nuclear treaty with Beijing similar to the one between US and India.
There is no need for another nuclear agreement with China, Sadiq said ahead of President Asif Ali Zardari’s four-day state visit to the Communist nation beginning October 14 at the invitation of his counterpart Hu Jintao.
This will be Zardari’s first official bilateral visit since assuming office as President last month and demonstrates the government’s resolve to take Pakistan-China friendship to new heights. During the visit, the leadership of the two countries will review the entire gamut of bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and international developments.
Reports have suggested that Pakistan is keen on forging a nuclear deal with China to gain access to nuclear technology and know-how. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had also sought a nuclear deal on the lines of the Indo-US pact and told the world community recently that there should be “no discrimination” in this regard.
During his stay in China, Zardari will hold talks with President Hu, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, National People’s Congress Chairman Wu Bangguo and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Chairman Jia Qinglin.
Zardari’s other engagements include interactions with heads of Chinese financial institutions and the corporate sector that are aimed at strengthening cooperation in the commercial, industrial, banking and financial sectors. Several agreements and MoUs are expected to be signed during the visit.
The President would be accompanied by the ministers for foreign affairs, defence, finance and environment and the deputy chairman of the Planning Commission. Sadiq said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani will also make a two-day visit to China from October 23 to attend the Asia Europe Summit (ASEM). Pakistan joined ASEM in 2006 and will be attending the apex gathering for the first time.
Responding to a question about the abduction of two Chinese engineers by the Pakistani Taliban, Sadiq described the incident as “unpleasant” and said the government is making all out efforts to recover the men.
Bilateral trade between China and Pakistan is now worth over seven billion dollars and both sides are committed to achieve a trade target of 15 billion dollars by 2011. An investment protocol of the Sino-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement, to be signed during Zardari’s visit, will contribute to inducing Chinese investors into Pakistan.
(With inputs from agencies)
( This post is from an independent writer. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not endorsed by APakistanNews.Com.)
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