Pakistan gets Chinese support for Nuclear Suppliers Group membership

Beijing, June 4: China has extended its support to Pakistan for its engagement with Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) but at the same time maintained that acceptance of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was a standard to admit new member-states in the 48-nation grouping.

"China has noted Pakistan's aspirations for the NSG membership. Pakistan has taken steps towards its mainstreaming into the global non-proliferation regime," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying was quoted as saying by Geo TV.

"We support Pakistan's engagement with the NSG, and hope such efforts could be conducive to the authority and effectiveness of the international non-proliferation regime. We wish to strengthen communication and coordination with Pakistan," Hua said.

At the same time, she said, "It is the long-standing consensus of the international community that the NPT is the cornerstone of the regime".

While replying to a question on how China views Pakistan's aspirations for NSG membership at the NSG plenary meeting being held in Argentina she said "In fact, besides Pakistan, there are other non-NPT states who have expressed similar aspirations".

India has also expressed its interest to become NSG member.

OneIndia News