Australia, China ratify nuclear deals, uranium, Wen Jiabao, nuclear

Australia and China have ratified two agreements signed earlier this year that could see Australian exports of uranium to China start as early as next month, the Wall Street Journal reported, quoting Australia's foreign minister. The Nuclear Transfer Agreement and Nuclear Cooperation Agreement were signed when Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited Canberra in April 2006. The two treaties, ratified by an exchange of notes, ensure that uranium and nuclear-related materials, equipment or technology exported to China will be used for peaceful and non-military purposes only. The agreements also ban China from transferring nuclear materials imported from Australia to a third country without Australia's approval.