China said the Asia-Pacific region needs economic growth and jobs, not gunpowder and submarines, in the latest salvo from Beijing after the US, Australia and the UK announced a new trilateral security partnership.
Zhao Lijian, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, speaking in Beijing on Wednesday, urged the Aukus members to reverse their decision and “fulfil their international nuclear non-proliferation obligations”.
The Aukus pact, and the associated deal to help Australia build nuclear-powered submarines, boosts Australia’s power across the western Pacific, and comes as a response to the threats posed by China’s expanding military footprint.