China asserts submarine contract with AUKUS is a “Path of Wrongdoing and Danger”

China’s Foreign Ministry stated on Tuesday that the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom are continuing on a risky and incorrect course for their own geopolitical self-interest.

China and Russia on Tuesday denounced the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia for ignoring the concerns of the world community and asserted that they are travelling down a “road of folly and danger”. Especially, a day after they revealed the specifics around the AUKUS nuclear submarines. The UN nuclear watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also took note of the statement and said that it will ensure that no proliferation dangers will emerge from the treaty.

“The latest joint statement from the US, UK, and Australia demonstrates that the three countries, for the sake of their geopolitical interests, completely disregard the concerns of the international communities and are walking further and further down the path of error and danger.” A spokesperson of Chinese foreign ministry Wang Wenbin stated.

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Referring the security deal “a typical case of Cold War mentality,” Wang continued that the three countries US, the UK, and Australia are trying to incite an arms race in the region. “The sale of submarines “constitutes a severe nuclear proliferation risk, and violates the aims and objectives of the Non-Proliferation Treaty”, Wang said.

The spokesperson for the Russian government expressed similar opinions, accusing the West of inciting “years of confrontation” in the Asia-Pacific area.

“The Anglo-Saxon world, with the creation of structures like AUKUS and with the advancement of NATO military infrastructures into Asia, is making a serious bet on many years of confrontation,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov quoted in televised comments.

“Ultimately, the Agency must ensure that no proliferation risks will emanate from this project. The legal obligations of the parties and the non-proliferation aspects are paramount,” Rafael Grossi stated.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese were guests of US President Joe Biden on Monday at an event at a naval station in San Diego, California, “an inflection point in history, where the hard work of enhancing deterrence and promoting stability is going to affect the prospect of peace for decades to come”.

Biden dismissed the worries that the accord would put China in a difficult position and emphasized that its main goal is to ensure regional stability.

According to the AUKUS agreement, which was announced in September 2021, the US and the UK will help Australia purchase nuclear-powered submarines. At least three Virginia-class attack submarines will be purchased by Australia from the US, and SSN-AUKUS, a modified Astute submarine, will be provided by the UK.