Chinese offer

THE highlight of President Asif Zardari's first visit abroad, to China, is to be a deal on nuclear issues similar to that the USA has tried to offer India, which would involve cooperation in the civilian sector on applications of nuclear technology. This has come after the Nuclear Suppliers Group, of which China is a member, agreed that Pakistan should be allowed to receive civilian technology, as much as other states. It was announced by Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, during a visit to New Delhi, that China hoped to fulfill the needs of all parties, while acting as a member of the NSG. When this is combined with the Chinese announcement that it would sign with Pakistan, during President Zardari's visit, an MOU on nuclear energy cooperation.