SYDNEY: China’s overseas minister on Saturday (Apr 20) accused Western powers within the AUKUS safety pact of frightening division and risking nuclear proliferation within the South Pacific.
On a weekend go to to strengthen Beijing’s ties with Papua New Guinea, Overseas Minister Wang Yi lashed out at AUKUS, which supplies for america and Britain to equip Australia with nuclear powered however conventionally armed submarines.
The three means AUKUS settlement “runs counter” to a South Pacific treaty banning nuclear weapons within the area, he advised a information convention in Port Moresby.
AUKUS additionally “raises severe nuclear proliferation dangers”, the Chinese language overseas minister advised reporters after assembly along with his Papua New Guinea counterpart Justin Tkatchenko.
In recent times, Beijing has tried to chip away at US and Australian affect throughout the South Pacific, together with in Papua New Guinea.
The Pacific Islands, whereas small in inhabitants, are replete with pure sources and sit at a geostrategic crossroads that might show strategically important in any army dispute over Taiwan.
Australia is by far Papua New Guinea’s largest donor, however Chinese language companies have made strong inroads into markets within the impoverished however resource-rich nation.
The Chinese language overseas minister seized on a current announcement by the AUKUS nations that they’re contemplating cooperating with Japan on army know-how.
