Peking may soon buy US nuclear technology

A high-level Chinese delegation is in Washington to discuss an agreement that would allow US companies to sell nuclear technology to China for the first time, Chinese officials said. The US State Department confirmed the delegation's arrival.

A statement issued by China's State Commission for Science and Technology suggested the US has already drafted a proposed agreement on ''the peaceful use of nuclear energy.'' This indicates the secretive talks are farther along than has been revealed.

China, which has no operating nuclear power plants, has made the development of nuclear power a national priority.