China Criticizes U.S. and Allies For Submarine Agreement

What’s the story?

• President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have revealed more details on Aukus, a multibillion-dollar plan to deploy a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines in the Indo-Pacific to counteract China's dominance in the region.
• Under Aukus, the U.S. will sell Australia up to five of its nuclear-powered, Virginia-class submarines. The U.S. and UK will begin deploying a few nuclear submarines in Perth, Western Australia, in 2027. 
• The allies will then work to create a next-generation submarine, the SSN Aukus, which will use technology from all three countries. The submarine will not be equipped with nuclear-tipped missiles, aligning with Australia's status as a non-nuclear-armed nation.
• The Aukus partnership was first announced 18 months ago. President Joe Biden said at the Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego:

“Forging this partnership, we’re showing again how democracies can deliver our own security and prosperity, and not just for us but for the entire world.”

Why is the U.S. concerned about the Indo-Pacific Region?

• U.S. efforts to increase its military presence in the Pacific are intended to maintain regional stability, strengthen its alliance system in Asia, and counter China's expansion of military installations across the South China Sea.
• Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said AUKUS was necessary to combat the region's most extensive conventional military buildup since World War II. 

China's response to Aukus

• China has criticized the Aukus deal, inflaming already high tensions between its leadership and the U.S. over increased US military assistance to Taiwan, trade disagreements, human rights violations, and cybersecurity concerns.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said:

“The latest joint statement issued by the U.S., U.K., and Australia shows that the three countries have gone further down the wrong and dangerous path for their own geopolitical self-interest, completely ignoring the concerns of the international community."

Do you support an increased military presence in the Indo-Pacific?

-- Laura Woods

(Photo Credit: Flickr)