China today sought to reduce concerns over its planned purchase of a German plutonium processing facility, saying the facility would only be used for “peaceful purposes” (see GSN, Dec. 8). The unused facility, constructed by the German firm Siemens, is designed to convert plutonium into mixed oxide (MOX) fuel for use in nuclear reactors, according to the Associated Press. “This fuel in China will be used for peaceful purposes I would like to emphasize that,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said. China and Germany are currently “having discussions” on Chinese assurances over the planned use of the facility, Liu...