Beijing Condemns Aukus Agreement as “Cold War Mentality,” Stoking Tensions in the Indo-Pacific
In response to the newly formed trilateral security pact, Aukus, between the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, China has urged the three countries to abandon what it describes as a “cold war” mentality or risk damaging their own interests. The announcement of Aukus on Thursday introduced an 18-month plan to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines, a move widely seen as a direct response to China’s growing influence in the South China Sea and its assertiveness towards Taiwan.
Despite no explicit mention of China by the leaders involved, the agreement is widely interpreted as a strategic effort to counter Beijing’s expanding military and political footprint in the region. US President Joe Biden emphasized the importance of maintaining a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” addressing the “current strategic environment” in the region.
Chinese officials have strongly condemned the deal, particularly the exportation of nuclear-powered submarine technology to Australia, which they have labeled as “extremely irresponsible” and a breach of nuclear non-proliferation standards. Zhao Lijian, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, argued that the international community, including neighboring countries, is questioning Australia’s commitment to nuclear safety and non-proliferation.
Zhao went on to warn the three nations to move away from outdated geopolitical thinking, asserting that their actions would harm regional peace and stability. He urged them to respect the aspirations of the region’s people and engage in practices that foster mutual benefit, rather than escalating tensions. In a separate statement, Liu Pengyu, the Chinese embassy spokesperson in the US, reiterated that the establishment of exclusionary blocs, particularly those targeting third parties, is unacceptable.
Chinese state-backed media outlets have escalated the rhetoric, with the Global Times editorial warning that Australia’s alignment with the US could provoke retaliatory actions in the South China Sea. The publication ominously suggested that Australian troops could be among the first to face casualties in the region if tensions further escalate.
Shi Yinhong, an international relations professor at Renmin University, characterized the agreement as an explicit attempt to counter China, reflecting the current diplomatic stand-off between China and the three allied nations. He noted that the cooperation between the US, UK, and Australia is based on shared concerns over China’s strategic activities.
