‘Think twice’ about AUKUS, China’s foreign minister tells UK
China’s foreign minister has urged Britain to “think twice” about its trilateral military pact with the United States and Australia, which will allow Canberra to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.
In a phone conversation on Friday with his British counterpart, Liz Truss, Minister Wang Yi said Beijing “opposes this agreement,” which will provide a non-nuclear-armed state with a highly enriched uranium.
In September, Washington announced the formation of a new alliance with Australia and Britain. The trilateral partnership, dubbed ‘AUKUS,’ instantly drew condemnation from China, Russia, and France.
Australia will become only the second country after the United Kingdom to be given access to the US nuclear technology to build nuclear-powered submarines.
“The creation of a new military bloc in the region will trigger an arms race, provoke confrontation between major powers and undermine regional peace and stability,” Wang said. He also told Truss that China urges “the British side to proceed from [the principle of] safeguarding the nuclear non-proliferation system, handle it cautiously, and think twice.”
Under the new partnership, the three countries 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 tripartite security pact is widely regarded as a hostile military move by the West aimed at China.
Observers say Washington and its allies are looking for ways to push back against China’s growing power and influence in the region. China previously called on the trio to shake off their “Cold War” mentality.
The US-China relations have grown increasingly tense in recent years, with the two largest economies of the world clashing over a range of issues, including trade, the Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, military activities in the South China Sea.
Russia, China have to counter any US attempt at containment: Moscow
China asserts support for Iran’s efforts to safeguard national security, stability
China slams latest US arms sales to Taiwan
VIDEO | Paris march in support of Palestine women
VIDEO | ICC issues arrest warrants for Israeli prime minister, ousted regime war minister
120 Palestinians perish as Israeli war machine keeps ravaging Gaza
VIDEO | Struggles of Palestinian women amidst war, displacement
VIDEO | Hezbollah rains attack drones down on elite Israeli brigade
VIDEO | US biased mediation fails
Leader: All captains of criminal, Zionist, terrorist gang must be prosecuted
Iran further raises its oil prices for Chinese buyers: Report
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
