China hopes that activities some countries conduct in peaceful use of nuclear energy are conducive to maintaining the authoritativeness and effectiveness of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) mechanism.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang made the remark in response to a reporter's question on U.S.-India nuclear cooperation at a routine press conference on Thursday.

Qin said that the NPT mechanism plays a significant role in promoting nuclear nonproliferation, disarmament of nuclear weapons and peaceful use of nuclear energy, highlighting that the nuclear cooperation between countries should comply with the NPT mechanism and international obligations.

The international community is making efforts to maintain the effectiveness and the authoritativeness of the NPT mechanism, Qin said.

China, as a founding member of the treaty, calls for more countries to join the treaty as nuclear-free members and contribute to maintaining the NPT mechanism and regional and international peace and stability, Qin said.

India and the United States on Thursday reached an agreement on civil nuclear cooperation during U.S. President George W. Bush's visit to India.

Source: Xinhua