China warned on Tuesday that the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom remain on a “wrong and dangerous path” after Canberra announced the purchase of US nuclear-powered submarines to modernize its fleet.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said the agreement, dubbed AUKUS – an acronym for Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States – is the result of a “typical Cold War mentality” that “just will motivate an arms race, which will undermine the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and undermine regional stability and peace”.
“The latest joint statement by the US, UK and Australia shows that the three countries are taking a wrong and dangerous path for their own geopolitical interests, completely ignoring the concerns of the international community”said Wang at a news conference.
US President Joe Biden flew to San Diego, California to meet with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
The three leaders welcomed the nuclear partnership that will give Australia access to nuclear-powered submarines, which are more stealthy and capable than conventionally powered ships.
The move is seen as a response to China’s growing military strength in the Asia-Pacific region.
Biden stressed that the ships will not carry nuclear weapons of any kind. Albanese said he did not think the deal would worsen relations between Australia and China.
Wang reiterated China’s claims that the AUKUS posed a “serious risk of nuclear proliferation” and a “violation of the object and purpose of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.”
“The three countries claim that they will adhere to the highest standards of nuclear non-proliferation, which is pure deception”said Wang, accusing the three of “forcing” the International Atomic Energy Agency to give its approval.
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said today that the AUKUS was needed to counter the region’s largest conventional military buildup since World War II. Australian officials have said the deal will cost up to $245 billion over the next three decades and create 20,000 jobs.
Marles said he made massive diplomatic efforts months before the deal was announced, including more than 60 calls to regional and world leaders. Australia has offered to keep China informed, he said.
US Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel J. Kritenbrink said the degree of transparency is one of the most important features of the agreement.
“AUKUS partners have made clear our intentions, including our commitment to peace and regional stability”Kritenbrink remarked.
The AUKUS is one of several US-led security agreements and partnerships that have drawn the ire of China, which often classifies regional blocs from which it has been excluded as remnants of the Cold War.
Along with Russia, China has also denounced the Quad, a military alliance that includes Australia, India, Japan and the United States, which foreign ministers said earlier this month intends to be an alternative to China. Ministers said they were concerned about “challenges to the rules-based maritime order, including in the South and East China Seas”, referring to Beijing’s aggressive moves to assert its territorial claims.
China has also been shaken by a deal between Washington and the Philippines that will give US troops greater access to Philippine bases along what it calls the “first chain of islands,” key to China projecting its power in the region.
Last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang warned Washington of possible “conflicts and clashes” if the US does not change course.
Source: DN
