China has denounced the new Aukus security pact between the US, UK and Australia, calling it 'extremely irresponsible' and warning it could 'severely damage regional peace' and intensify an arms race. The deal, announced by US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, will see the US and UK share nuclear submarine technology with Australia for the first time in 60 years.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian criticised the alliance as reflecting an 'obsolete Cold War mentality' and said the three countries were 'hurting their own interests'. State media outlets, including the Global Times, echoed the condemnation, with one editorial stating Australia had 'turned itself into an adversary of China'.
The Aukus partnership is widely seen as an effort to counter China's influence in the South China Sea, a region where Beijing has been increasingly assertive. The three leaders did not mention China directly but referred to 'growing' regional security concerns. Analysts describe the pact as the most significant security arrangement between the three nations since World War Two.
Australia will become the seventh nation to operate nuclear-powered submarines, which are faster and harder to detect than conventional ones. The deal also includes sharing of cyber, artificial intelligence and other undersea technologies, as well as Australia acquiring long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles and allowing more US troops to be stationed in its north.
The pact comes amid deteriorating relations between Australia and China, its biggest trading partner. Canberra has accused Beijing of political interference, blocked Chinese investment and banned Huawei from its 5G network. In response, China imposed trade sanctions on over a dozen Australian goods, including tariffs of up to 200% on wine. Australia hopes the new alliance will help cushion the economic blowback.
