In a landmark deal, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia announced a new security partnership known as Aukus. The agreement is a significant strategic shift, aimed at countering China’s growing military influence in the Indo-Pacific region. The announcement has sparked a furious response from China’s President Xi Jinping, who called it a “grave threat” to regional stability.
President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunac, and Australian Prime Anthony Albanese met at a naval base in San Diego, California on Monday to announce the agreement, which includes a plan to build a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines for the Australian navy. The submarines, which will be built in Adelaide, will be equipped with advanced technology that will enable them to operate more effectively in the region.
Speaking at the press conference, President Biden said the agreement was about “strengthening our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.” He added, “This partnership will enhance our ability to respond to the most pressing challenges of the 21st century, from nuclear proliferation to climate change.”
UK Prime Minister Sunak hailed the deal as a “historic moment” for the UK, which will play a leading role in the project. He said the agreement demonstrated the UK’s commitment to working with its allies to promote peace and security in the region.
Australian Prime Minister Morrison described the agreement as a “forever partnership” that would “deliver the capabilities we need to defend our nation and deter threats to peace.”
The announcement of the deal has drawn a sharp response from China, which sees the move as a direct challenge to its growing military influence in the region. In a statement, President Xi Jinping said the agreement “seriously undermines regional peace and stability, intensifies the arms race, and is a grave threat to the international non-proliferation regime.”
The Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a separate statement, saying the deal “severely damages regional peace and stability, intensifies the arms race, and undermines the international nuclear non-proliferation system.”
The Chinese reaction to the announcement is not surprising, as it has been increasingly assertive in the region in recent years, with its military expansion and territorial claims in the South China Sea. China has also been building up its military capabilities, including developing its own nuclear-powered submarines.
The Aukus agreement is seen as a direct response to China’s military expansion in the region and its increasing assertiveness. The new submarines will provide Australia with a significant strategic advantage and will enable the country to better respond to any potential threats from China.
The announcement of the deal has also been welcomed by other countries in the region, including Japan and South Korea. Both countries have expressed concern over China’s increasing military power, and have been seeking closer ties with the US and its allies to counter it.
However, the deal has also raised concerns in some quarters over the potential for a new arms race in the region. The use of nuclear-powered submarines, in particular, has sparked concerns over the potential for nuclear proliferation.
The Aukus agreement has also highlighted the growing strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific region, as countries in the region seek to balance against China’s growing military influence. The announcement of the deal is likely to further increase tensions between the US and China and will be closely watched by other countries in the region.
In response to the Chinese criticism, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said the agreement was “not aimed at any one country,” but was about “promoting peace and security in the region.” She added, “We continue to urge all countries in the region to act in a way that promotes stability and security, and to refrain from any actions that escalate tensions.”
The Aukus agreement is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the US and China and underscores the growing importance of the Indo-Pacific region in global affairs.