Beijing, Sep 16 (EFE) .- China today accused the United States, United Kingdom and Australia of “undermining stability and regional peace” after signing the AUKUS pact, which seeks to strengthen trilateral cooperation in advanced defense technologies, such as intelligence. man-made, underwater systems and long-distance surveillance.
“This type of cooperation seriously undermines regional peace and stability, as well as international efforts for nuclear non-proliferation,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a press conference today, referring to the fact that the new alliance will provide the Australian fleet of nuclear-powered submarines.
“The pact also shows how these countries use nuclear exports as a geopolitical tool. It is extremely irresponsible. They should abandon their cold war mentality and do more to contribute to peace and stability. Otherwise, they will end up hurting themselves.” , assured the spokesman.
He added that forming “exclusive cliques”, in reference to this trilateral military pact, goes “against the trend of the times” and “against the aspirations of the countries of the region.”
The spokesman also warned Australia that it must “honor its commitments” to nuclear non-proliferation.
“If Australia, as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the South Pacific Treaty as a Nuclear Weapons Free Zone, imports this type of nuclear submarine technology, its neighbors and the international community will have reason to question its sincerity about it. compliance with these pacts, “he said.
“China will pay close attention to the development of the AUKUS agreement,” said Zhao, who also warned that the pact could “intensify the arms race.”
The spokesman said he was unaware of Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s offer to talk with Chinese President Xi Jinping about the new defense pact between Canberra, Washington and London, which is intended to stand up to Beijing in the Indo-Pacific.
“All I can say is that mutual respect and trust are the precondition for dialogue and cooperation. Difficulties in Sino-Australian relations have been caused solely and exclusively by the Australian side. Australia has to think if it wants to. see China as a partner or as a threat, “he said.
The pact, which would give Canberra a greater role in the region in a context of geostrategic pulse between Washington and Beijing in an area that ranges from the west coast of Africa to the eastern Pacific, could end up further deteriorating the tense diplomatic and political relations and trade between China and Australia.
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