China, France condemn ‘Aukus Defence Pact’ warns of arms race

China has warned that Australia’s new defence agreement with the United States and Britain  is “extremely irresponsible” and risks triggering an arms race in the Asia-Pacific region.

The surprise announcement on Wednesday of the newly formed “Aukus” alliance between the three nations means Australia will become the second country after the UK, to receive nuclear-powered submarine technology from the US.

The partnership will see the United States and Britain providing Australia with technology to deploy the vessels in future.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Thursday the three-way pact would “severely damage regional peace and stability and intensify the arms race”.

He said countries should not build exclusionary blocs targeting or harming the interests of third parties. He called on Australia to rethink its position on China.

Lu Xiang, a research fellow studying China-US relations said “the move means Australia will be equipped with surprise attack capabilities. China and other regional countries will be looking at Australia differently from now on,”
The partnership also ends Australia›s 2016 deal with French shipbuilder Naval Group to build it a new submarine fleet worth $40 billion, a spokesperson for Morrison told Reuters.

France accused Biden of stabbing it in the back and acting like his predecessor Donald Trump.

“This brutal, unilateral and unpredictable decision reminds me a lot of what Mr. Trump used to do,” Le Drian told Franceinfo Radio. “I am angry and bitter. This isn’t done between allies.”
China, (SCMP/Reuters), 17 September 2021 –