Beijing: China and its close ally Pakistan today (November 3) signed eight agreements, including a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), to boost their "all-weather" ties but, contrary to media speculation, failed to strike a deal on the multimillion-Dollar Chinese assistance for the second phase of Chashma nuclear power plant.

The planned agreement on Chinese assistance in the construction of a 300 Mega Watt nuclear power plant in Chashma was not among the eight agreements signed by the two sides after Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with his visiting Pakistani counterpart Pervez Musharraf at the Great Hall of the People.

Diplomatic sources said that the two sides could not conclude a deal on the nuclear project and that negotiations were continuing.

Pakistani media earlier reported that the nuclear deal was likely to be signed during Musharraf's three- day state visit to China.

China agreed to go ahead with the second phase of the $ 700 million Chashma plant during a visit by Pakistan Prime Minister Zafrullah Jamali in March.

The plant would have been the second nuclear power project in Pakistan built with Chinese help.

PTI