US, China stepping up nuclear security cooperation

(AP)


WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama announced a deal Wednesday to step up cooperation with China on nuclear security.



The agreement signed by U.S. and Chinese energy officials during the visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao would establish a jointly financed nuclear security center in China. U.S. officials see the agreement as an opening to expand security cooperation with China.



The announcement at a joint appearance with Hu comes as the Obama administration is looking for ways to ease tensions between the two world powers over economic, trade and security issues.



The United States has spent billions on extensive cooperation on nuclear security with Russia and has often used the issue as a way to stimulate further political cooperation. But it has had very limited interaction with China on nuclear security.



The U.S. considers China a vital player in attempts to contain North Korean aggression against South Korea and curb its development of nuclear weapons. The U.S. also needs Chinese support to rein in Iran's nuclear ambitions, as China is a permanent U.N. Security Council member with veto power.



Secretary of Energy Steven Chu called the agreement a major step forward in implementing nuclear security.



The venture is aimed at training to improve security at nuclear facilities and accounting of nuclear materials. U.S. officials also hope to hold joint exercises on responding to nuclear disasters and terrorism and to share nuclear detection technology.



U.S. officials also say the two countries plan to open up the center to other countries in Asia, hoping that China can use its influence to improve nuclear security in the region.



Under the agreement signed by Chu and China Atomic Energy Authority Chairman Chen Quifa, China would pay for most of the center's budget, but the United States would provide technology and expertise.



The idea for the center was first proposed by Hu at Obama's nuclear security summit in April.