Global Security Newswire

Canada could expand its shipments of uranium to China with the help of a freshly brokered addendum to an 18-year-old bilateral atomic power accord, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said on Thursday (see GSN, Nov. 2, 2010).

The protocol to the 1994 civilian nuclear deal satisfies Ottawa's enduring nonproliferation standards and responsibilities, Harper said in a statement. Uranium exported by Canada under the arrangement would be guaranteed not to serve military ends, he stressed.

Canadian and Chinese officials intend to seek in coming months to wrap up the addendum's specific wording so that the agreement can be approved in both nations, he said.

“This agreement will help Canadian uranium companies to substantially increase exports to China, the world’s fastest growing market for these products,” Harper said in provided remarks, adding it would create employment opportunities in his country while encouraging environmentally friendly electricity generation in China (Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper release, Feb. 9).