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China deals a boost to Canada uranium exports

OTTAWA — Canada and China have strengthened a nuclear cooperation agreement that will allow Canadian companies to export more uranium to China, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said Thursday.

"Increased collaboration with China's civil nuclear-energy market will give Canadian companies greater access to one of the world's largest and fastest-expanding economies, creating new jobs, growth and long-term prosperity," Baird said.

"Energy is a key pillar of our strong bilateral ties with China," he said, adding that the arrangement "marries prosperity with safety and security" as concerns nuclear non-proliferation.

Baird made the announcement during a signing ceremony with Liu Tienan, head of China's national energy administration, in Beijing. The deal was negotiated in February when Prime Minister Stephen Harper visited China.

Canada has reached $1 billion a year in uranium exports.