China’s Hu Set to Offer Pakistan Nuclear Plants – Chris Buckley

From Reuter:

Chinese President Hu Jintao is poised to unveil an ambitious expansion of nuclear power cooperation with Pakistan when he visits next week, testing China’s balance between Pakistan and its wary neighbor, India.

On the first trip to Pakistan by a Chinese president in a decade, Hu is likely to announce that China will help the South Asian nation construct several nuclear plants in coming decades, said analysts and diplomatic sources.

“The political intent is quite certain. The specifics are less certain, but this will be a political gesture above all,” said one diplomatic observer in Beijing. He spoke on condition of anonymity, citing the official secrecy around discussions. [Full Text]