China-Pakistan Deal Harbinger of Nuclear Exceptionalism?

Reports last week suggested that China is considering investing in a large, 1,000-megawatt reactor in Pakistan, in addition to the two small reactors recently agreed upon by the two countries. If validated, the reports indicate that Chinese policymakers have given the go-ahead to a nuclear development plan prioritizing early export of indigenous large reactors, while simultaneously underlining Beijing's willingness and ability to pursue a policy of nuclear exceptionalism in the subcontinent.

The backstory on the reported deal dates back to 2004, when the smaller State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation (SNPTC) won a momentous decision from Chinese planners to proceed with a domestic nuclear development plan based around imported designs. The plan beat out a competing proposal by China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), which preferred a more "indigenous" route to development. ...