'Cold War mentality' in US, British, Australia pact: China

China has reacted to a new trilateral security alliance announced by the United States, Britain and Australia aimed at addressing defense and security concerns in the Indo-Pacific region, calling on the three countries to shake off their ‘Cold War’ mentality.

Liu Pengyu, the spokesman for China's embassy in Washington, made the comments on Thursday, following the formation of the security pact a day earlier amid China's growing influence over the strategically vital region.

Countries "should not build exclusionary blocs targeting or harming the interests of third parties. In particular, they should shake off their Cold-War mentality and ideological prejudice," Liu said.

On Wednesday, the US, Britain and Australia established a security partnership for the Indo-Pacific to protect their shared interests and help Canberra acquire nuclear-powered submarines.

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An Australian frigate has joined three US warships in the South China Sea near an area where a Chinese vessel has been based, raising concerns over an escalation of tensions.

Under the new partnership, known as AUKUS, the three nations have agreed to enhance the development of joint capabilities and technology sharing and foster deeper integration of security and defense-related science, technology, industrial bases and supply chains.

The security pact was announced by US President Joe Biden during a virtual news conference with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

“Today we’re taking another historic step to deepen and formalize cooperation among all three of our nations because we all recognize the imperative of ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific over the long term,” Biden said from the East Room of the White House.

"This is about investing in our greatest source of strength, our alliances, and updating them to better meet the threats of today and tomorrow," he said.

The three leaders also insisted that the submarines which are going to be provided for Australia under the first major initiative of the pact would be nuclear-powered and the effort is geared towards ensuring peace in the Indo-Pacific region.

"Let me be clear," Morrison said. "Australia is not seeking to acquire nuclear weapons or establish a civil nuclear capability. And we will continue to meet all our nuclear non-proliferation obligations."

The initiative to help Australia develop a nuclear-powered submarine will take place over 18 months and will involve Navy teams from all three countries.

China hits back at Australia, defends sovereignty in South China Sea

Beijing defends its sovereignty and maritime rights in the South China Sea after Australia joined the United States in rejecting China’s territorial claims over a disputed group of islands in the strategic waterway.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also described the partnership as a new chapter in the friendship of the three countries.

The endeavor will be "one of the most complex and technically demanding projects in the world," he said, but will ultimately make the world a safer place.

The latest development comes as Washington and its allies are looking for ways to push back against China’s growing power and influence in the region.  

The three leaders did not mention China and senior Biden administration officials who briefed reporters ahead of the announcement said the move was not aimed at countering Beijing.

US-China relations have grown increasingly tense in recent years, with the world’s two largest economies clashing over a range of issues, including trade, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), Hong Kong, military activities in the South China Sea as well as the origins of the new coronavirus.

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