China confirms plans to build two more nuclear reactors for Pakistan

Beijing: China has confirmed its plans of helping Pakistan in expanding its Chashma nuclear energy complex by building two reactors in addition to one already operating and another nearing completion.

"This project is based on an agreement signed between the two countries in 2003 about cooperation in the nuclear power field," the Daily Times quoted a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman- Jiang Yu- as saying.

When asked about the China National Nuclear Corp's statement that it was in talks for building a one-gigawatt nuclear reactor for Pakistan, in addition to the four smaller Chashma units built, being finished or planned, Jiang denied having any knowledge in this regard.

"We don't understand this matter. You can make further inquiries with the company," she said.

Earlier, a newspaper had reported that China's main nuclear power company was in talks with Pakistan to build a one-gigawatt nuclear power plant.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Foreign Office said that Pakistan was holding talks with China to build a new nuclear power plant.

"We have an ongoing civil nuclear cooperation agreement with China which is according to our respective international obligations for peaceful purposes under the IAEA safeguards," FO spokesman Abdul Basit said. (ANI)