China will look to invest in energy and construction projects when Premier Wen Jiabao travels to Pakistan later this week, following his three-day trip to India, officials said on Monday.
The two countries are also expected to push forward cooperation in nuclear energy, and discuss plans for China to set up its fifth nuclear power reactor in Pakistan — a one-gigawatt plant which will mark the single biggest deal in nuclear energy between the two countries.
The China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) announced in September that talks had begun for a 1 GW plant.
The company has already set up two reactors in Chashma, and in March announced it had started work on two more.
The deals for the three new reactors have stirred debate, with many countries saying China's nuclear co-operation goes against guidelines governing nuclear trade. The 46-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), of which China is a member, prohibits the transfer of nuclear technology to countries that have not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
On Monday, Chinese officials defended the deals, and suggested China would proceed with them after seeking safeguards from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
China is yet to notify the NSG of the deals, or seek an exemption.
“On this issue, we have always been open and transparent,” said Liang Wentao, a Deputy Director-General at the Ministry of Commerce, when asked about the progress in talks over the fifth reactor.
“We have some cooperation in the civilian nuclear energy field,” he said. “It is in line with our responsibilities, and we are under safeguards of the IAEA.”
He said China signed “the relevant agreement” with Pakistan in 2003, a year before China joined the NSG.
While Chinese officials have argued the deals predated its NSG membership, other members say China did not reveal plans for the three new reactors when it declared its commitments.
Chinese officials have not said if China would seek a waiver from the NSG, as India did when it entered into civilian nuclear co-operation with the United States after taking on a range of commitments.
“We will report to the IAEA in a timely manner and ask for safeguards from the agency,” Mr. Liang said.
Hu Zhengyue, China's Assistant Foreign Minister said the two countries were likely to expand cooperation in infrastructure, energy and agriculture during Mr. Wen's December 17-19 visit.
“Pakistan is an important neighbour and important strategic and cooperative partner,” he said.
The visit, he added, would “intensify strategic coordination and communication.”
