China is seeing nothing wrong with the signing of a nuclear cooperation agreement between the Philippines and the US, which is considered as a landmark move to address Manila's climate goals and critical energy security needs.
Mao Ning, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said Beijing is not against it as long as both countries would comply with limits of international law.
"We noted relevant news. When it comes to international cooperation on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, countries should strictly abide by international obligations on nuclear non-proliferation and ensure nuclear safety and security," Mao said in her regular press briefing on Friday.
On Nov. 16 (US time), Manila and Washington signed the much-anticipated "123 Agreement" at the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in San Francisco.
The deal, raised during US Vice President Kamala Harris' visit to Manila in November 2022, will facilitate and enhance cooperation on clean energy security and strengthen our alliance between the Philippines and the US.
The agreement will also establish nonproliferation criteria that both governments must uphold, such as observing specific standards for covered items used in civil nuclear energy programs, including International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards; physical protection of covered items; and limitations on enriching, reprocessing, and transferring specific items without the other party’s consent.