Beijing: September 17, 2007 – Beijing is reported to have given their offer ahead of India-China Foreign Secretary-level bilateral consultations, that it is ready to cooperate with other nations on the peaceful use of civilian nuclear energy as long as nuclear security and non-proliferation were assured.

"With an open and constructive attitude, China is ready to strengthen cooperation on global nuclear energy with other nations," Chen Deming, a senior official of the country's top planning body, was quoted as saying at the second ministerial conference of the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) held in Vienna.

As long as nuclear security and non-proliferation were assured, the peaceful use of the nuclear energy could be extended around the world in a safe, economic and reliable way, said Chen, the deputy head of China's National Development and Reform Commission.

"The peaceful use of nuclear energy is important to the Chinese government," Chen was quoted as saying by the official Xinhua news agency.

Chen's statement comes ahead of Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon's scheduled talks with senior officials of the Chinese Foreign Ministry here tomorrow on a range of issues, including seeking Beijing's support on the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi had hinted last month that Beijing was prepared to explore possibilities of cooperation with India on peaceful use of nuclear energy. It was hinted on August 31, 2007 in the meeting the Eminent Persons' Group from India and China in Beijing.