The United States, Australia and Britain revealed details of their submarine deal worth hundreds of billions of dollars on Monday. In China’s opinion, the project destabilizes the peace and accelerates the armament.
16:40•Updated 16:55
In Asia, authoritarian China has been perceived as more threatening in the surrounding countries as the country has accelerated its military equipment and its influence in, for example, the South China Sea.
The AUKUS defense cooperation between the three countries, developed to create a balance of power, has annoyed and annoys China more and more.
The United States, Australia and Britain gave more details on the previously agreed submarine trade on Monday.
Australia is building a fleet of eight nuclear submarines in Adelaide, reported Sydney Morning Tribune. (you switch to another service) They will be introduced in the 2040s. Submarines will be equipped with cruise missiles.
Australia pays about three billion dollars to the United States and Britain for the design and technology of submarines. The United States and Britain, on the other hand, are investing billions in the industry supporting the project.
In addition, Australia e.g. to buy three to five Virginia-class submarines from the United States. The United States and Britain will gain a bigger foothold in Australian bases and their ships will be seen even more.
The parties informed about this during a meeting at the US Naval Base in San Diego. President of the United States Joe Biden considers the submarine trade so significant that it will change the situation in the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs: A Dangerous Road
On Tuesday, China announced its bitter response through the spokesperson of its Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
– The so-called tripartite partnership and nuclear submarine cooperation of the most advanced technology is a typical Cold War way of thinking, criticized the spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Wang Wenbin.
In China’s view, the United States, Australia and Britain are proceeding on a dangerous path to achieve selfish political goals without caring about the concerns of the international community.
However, Australia is not getting nuclear submarines equipped with nuclear weapons, but ships that operate with the help of nuclear-powered reactors.
– I want the world to understand this, it’s not about nuclear weapons, it’s about nuclear power. It is very important to understand this and the fact that we cooperate with the World Atomic Energy Agency, Biden emphasized.
In China’s opinion, however, there is a risk that the nuclear weapons agreements will be violated.
– The United States should show its sincerity, meet China halfway and put bilateral relations back on track, demanded Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
The largest defense investment in Australian history
For Australia, the submarine acquisition is the largest financial investment it has ever made in its defence. The contract, which runs until 2055, has a total value of around 240 billion dollars. Its employment effect is 20,000 person-years.
– A huge sum, but it’s also honest, said the Australian National University professor John Blaxland for Reuters.
He sees the agreement as a significant assurance of Australia’s national security in an increasingly insecure world.
Armament has its advantages, according to the professor, because “the third world war has not started.”
Sources: Reuters, AFP, USPOOL