China seeks 'balance' in India nuke deal

BEIJING, Sept. 2 (UPI) -- China is calling for "balance" between non-proliferation concerns and peaceful civilian nuclear power use in India's quest to obtain nuclear fuel imports.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said Tuesday that China has a "clear and consistent" stance on nuclear cooperation between the United States and India, which is seeking to have a nuclear importation ban lifted, the state-run Chinese news agency Xinhua reported.

"China hopes the (45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group of nations) finds a way to strike a balance between nuclear nonproliferation and the peaceful use of energy," Jiang said.

He told Xinhua China has taken an active part in the NSG discussions, which adjourned last month in Vienna with no agreement. The countries are to meet Thursday and Friday to resolve their differences.

"China believes that all countries have the right to peacefully use nuclear energy and conduct international cooperation in line with the nonproliferation obligation," Jiang said.