China warned that the AUKUS defense pact would bring harm instead of benefits, as well as triggering an arms race in the Asia Pacific.
” AUKUS is harmful, unprofitable. This kind of small circle, which is dominated by a Cold War mentality, is useless and very dangerous,” said Chinese Defense Ministry Spokesman Tan Kefei at a press briefing in Beijing, Thursday (30/3/2023).
Tan was referring to a trilateral pact signed by the US, UK and Australia, which would facilitate Canberra getting nuclear-powered submarines.
According to Tan, AUKUS risks nuclear proliferation and he warned that the deal would trigger an arms race as well as escalate regional tensions.
“Such cooperation is an extension of each country’s nuclear deterrence policy, and it is a play tool for them to build an ‘ Asia-Pacific version of NATO ‘ and maintain their own hegemony,” Tan said.
“This has seriously affected the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region, and many countries in the region are very concerned about this,” he said, adding.
Tan called on Washington, London and Canberra to recognize the current general trend, abandon selfishness that harms others and benefits themselves, listen to the voice of the international community with an open mind, truly fulfill their international responsibilities and obligations and do more conducive to regional peace and stability.
Furthermore, Tan stated Beijing’s firm stance against the narrative of the “China threat” used as an excuse by Western countries to increase its military budget.
“For a long time, the United States had the highest defense budget of all countries in the world, and the United States also waged wars and created chaos everywhere,” said Tan.
Emphasizing that China is the builder of world peace, he accused the US of being the biggest threat to world peace, security and stability.
“At the same time, we urge the British side to improve its mentality, maintain a correct understanding of China, and stop exaggerating the so-called ‘China challenge’,” Tan said.
Regarding the concerns raised by Japan and the Philippines over China’s activities in the East China and South China Seas, Tan said Beijing is committed to maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
“For a period of time, some countries have adhered to the mentality of the Cold War and the zero-sum game concept and used the so-called ‘Chinese coercion’ and ‘Chinese military threats’ to engage in military expansion. We strongly oppose this,” said Tan. .
Source: wartaekonomi
