Chinese and Pakistani officials broke ground and laid a foundation stone Friday at a nuclear power plant that Pakistan will build with China's help.
The Chasma 2 nuclear power plant is the second nuclear facility built as a part of a China-Pakistan pact. China also offered technology and financial assistance to build the first nuclear plant in the capital, Karachi, in 1990.
During his visit to Pakistan this week, Chinese Premier Wen Jinbao announced that Beijing will help Pakistan develop more nuclear plants after the Chasma 2 nuclear facility is built. The plant is to be commissioned in 2011. China and Pakistan are long-time allies, and Beijing is a major supplier of defense equipment to Pakistan.
This past Monday, China agreed to sell Pakistan four warships. The Beijing government is also helping Pakistan build tanks and construct a deep-sea port on the Arabian Sea.