N-deal must meet NPT terms: China

China today reacted cautiously to the historic Indo-US nuclear deal, hoping that it would meet the global non-proliferation regime's parameters while seeking early accession by 'non-signatory' nations to the Non-Proliferation Treaty to ensure regional and global peace and stability.

'This cooperation must meet the requirements and provisions of the international non-proliferation regime and the obligations undertaken by all countries concerned,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told reporters in Beijing when asked to comment on the Indo-US nuclear deal, the centrepiece of the state visit of US President George W Bush to India.

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'China is clear on the issues in the US-India

nuclear cooperation,' he said. 'Currently, the international community is working hard to strengthen the authority and efficacy of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. China hopes relevant countries for cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy can contribute to these efforts.'

Asked to comment on China's stand on nuclear non-proliferation, Qin said the NPT plays a crucial role in preventing proliferation of nuclear weapons, facilitating nuclear disarmament and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

'As a signatory to the NPT, China hopes that non-signatories can, as nuclear weapon free countries, join the treaty as soon as possible so as to make their contribution to non-proliferation regime and peace and stability in the region and the world,' he said.