The United States is trying to create an Indo-Pacific version of NATO.

This was stated by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during the annual press conference.

“The true goal of the Indo-Pacific strategy is to try to create an Indo-Pacific version of NATO,” Wang Yi was quoted as saying by RIA Novosti.

According to the diplomat, this strategic document is designed to support the US-dominated hegemonic system, which strikes at the structure of regional cooperation based on cooperation within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

“A strategy that runs counter to the common vision of the countries of the region, striving for peace, development, cooperation and mutually beneficial results, has no prospects,” Wang Yi said.

He also stated that Beijing has every right to take all necessary measures to protect its legitimate rights.

Earlier in February, the administration of US President Joe Biden published on the White House website a new Indo-Pacific strategy for the United States.

The document says that in a rapidly changing strategic landscape, Washington recognizes that the advancement of American interests is possible "only if the United States is firmly anchored in the Indo-Pacific region and the region itself is strengthened," along with the closest allies and partners of the American side.

It is also noted that allegedly "China's coercion and aggression" are spreading around the world, but, according to the White House, "they are most acute in the Indo-Pacific region."

“This increased US attention is partly due to the fact that the Indo-Pacific region is facing growing challenges, especially from the PRC.

The PRC combines its economic, diplomatic, military and technological power, seeking to create a sphere of influence in the Indo-Pacific region and become the most influential power in the world, ”the document emphasizes.

The strategy also aims for the United States to deepen cooperation with ASEAN, as well as to strengthen the QUAD military-technological association, which, in addition to the United States, also includes Australia, India and Japan.

In addition, the strategy also mentions the defense partnership AUKUS, which was formed in September last year by the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom.

  • US President Joe Biden at the conclusion of the AUKUS Defense Partnership

  • AFP

  • © Brendan Smialowski

As part of this alliance, Washington will transfer technology to Canberra to build its own nuclear submarines, as well as American cruise missiles.

As noted in the new US Indo-Pacific Strategy, thanks to AUKUS, Washington will determine the "optimal route" for the supply of nuclear submarines to the Australian side in the shortest possible time.

New base for nuclear submarines

It is worth noting that the Chinese Foreign Minister's statement came against the backdrop of statements by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who said that Australia would build a new naval base on the east coast for nuclear submarines in Canberra, as well as Washington and London.

According to him, the formation of this facility will help improve the ability of Australia "in terms of strategic deterrence in the Pacific."

“Through the AUKUS partnership with the US and UK, we will have access to the world's best technology to support our efforts to contain threats to our national interests in the Indo-Pacific region,” Morrison said.

According to its press service, the Australian Department of Defense estimates that more than $10 billion will be needed "to cover the needs of some facilities and infrastructure for the transition from the Collins submarines to future nuclear submarines, including, among other things, a new submarine base on the east coast."

“Nuclear submarines have superior stealth, speed, maneuverability, invulnerability and durability compared to conventional submarines,” said Australian Defense Minister Peter Dutton.

“The ability to operate from both coasts will make our nuclear submarines more responsive and resilient to this strategic environment.”

It is expected that part of the preparations for the construction of a new military base will be completed by the end of 2023.

"undermine regional security"

As Alexei Maslov, director of the Institute of Asian and African Studies at Moscow State University, noted in a commentary on RT, Beijing's statement about Washington's attempts to form an Indo-Pacific version of NATO after the announcement of the construction of a military base in Australia through AUKUS suggests that the actions of the United States and its allies pose a real threat for China, which directly expresses its concern in this regard.

“Beijing was extremely dissatisfied when the AUKUS association was created right under its side, into which the United States dragged countries, including Australia, with which China was actively cooperating.

And China is well aware that an anti-Chinese coalition is being created around it, if earlier it was economic and political, now it is becoming military, ”the expert said.

According to Maslov, in addition to this, the United States is actively using the current extremely tense situation in the region and in the world to create anti-Chinese hysteria.

“Washington is constantly trying to inflate the Chinese threat, to attribute to the PRC those negative qualities that it actually does not have - in addition to the fact that in its new Indo-Pacific strategy, the United States blames China for “aggression”, which allegedly covers the entire globe.

This is just one example of disinformation about Chinese politics,” he said.

Maslov also explained that now Beijing is "acting pre-emptively", saying that in the future it will not tolerate such actions by Washington and its allies.

“In general, it can be stated that the statements of the PRC are becoming more and more harsh day by day.

And although Beijing opposes any military solution to problems, it is extremely intolerant of US attempts to establish a single system of control over the world, especially over Asia.

Beijing understands the logic of Washington's actions, and it will not tolerate this, ”the analyst said.

Maslov also noted that the concerns of the Chinese side are quite justified - the United States is indeed forming the so-called Asian NATO.

“It is this that is the destabilizing factor in the region.

Because due to the creation of AUKUS, QUAD and other defense associations directed against China, the region is facing an even greater escalation of the situation, ”the expert noted.

In turn, a member of the Public Chamber of Russia, deputy director of the Institute for Strategic Studies and Forecasts of the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, Nikita Danyuk, said in a comment to RT that he considers Beijing's statement about the formation by the United States of the Indo-Pacific version of NATO "absolutely justified."

“The US is really trying to undermine regional security in this region.

The Indo-Pacific strategy of the White House is precisely to create a certain mechanism not just to contain China, but in the event of a potential conflict, to level its entire military potential, ”the analyst noted.

  • Submarine Australia

  • AFP

  • © PETER PARKS

According to Danyuk, in addition to AUKUS, the architecture of the Indo-Pacific version of NATO also includes the military-technological association QUAD, coordinated by the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, which consists of the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Great Britain, as well as the strategic triangle: the United States - Japan - South Korea.

“In the region, due to these associations and alliances, a whole alliance has indeed been built, one way or another opposing China,” the analyst believes.

Danyuk also predicted that because of this, tensions arise in the region, which over time will only intensify due to the actions of Washington and its allies.

“Contradictions will accumulate more and more.

China is already facing not just a threat to its security, but a real challenge,” he said.

Danyuk believes that Beijing, without waiting for the creation of a military base in Australia, can increase the means of the navy, including the number of submarines.

“In addition, he may respond asymmetrically through economic sanctions against Canberra, for which this can be extremely painful, given that Australia considers China to be an extremely important economic partner,” the expert believes.

However, according to Maslov, China is already responding to the United States' aggressive actions by building up ties with Russia, including in the defense sector.

“Now Beijing is acting more subtly, it is building up military cooperation with Moscow, expanding the level of mutual support for these two countries.

In addition, the PRC is engaged in the creation of an early warning system, attack preemption, the development of military bases on the southern borders of the PRC, including in the South China Sea, ”the analyst concluded.