BEIJING, November 27. /TASS/. Cooperation between the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom (AUKUS) in the field of nuclear submarines is contrary to the aims and objectives of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). This is stated in the white paper on arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation published by the press office of the State Council of the People's Republic of China.
“Cooperation in the field of nuclear submarines between the US, UK and Australia implies the precedent of transferring naval nuclear reactors and weapons-grade enriched uranium from a country possessing nuclear weapons to a country not possessing them. This clearly contradicts the goals and objectives of the NPT, and also seriously weakens the nuclear non-proliferation regime,” the document reads.
The Chinese side also expressed concern that “some countries are trying to gain absolute strategic superiority, uncontrollably increasing combat readiness and provoking confrontation between blocs.” <...>at the same time forming military alliances in the Asia-Pacific region, implementing extended deterrence, deploying ground-based medium-range missile systems, causing tension in the region and seriously weakening the security and interests of Asia-Pacific countries.
