China talks about the promotion of nuclear submarine cooperation between the United States, Britain and Australia: going further and further down the wrong and dangerous path

　　China News Service, Beijing, March 14 (Reporter Li Jingze) Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin presided over a regular press conference on March 14.

A reporter asked a question about the promotion of nuclear submarine cooperation between the United States, Britain and Australia.

　　Wang Wenbin: China has repeatedly emphasized that the establishment of the so-called "tripartite security partnership" between the United States, Britain and Australia to promote cooperation in nuclear submarines and other cutting-edge military technologies is a typical Cold War mentality, which will only stimulate an arms race, undermine the international nuclear non-proliferation system, and damage the international nuclear non-proliferation system. The region is peaceful and stable, and peace-loving countries have expressed serious concern and firm opposition to this.

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

　　The US-UK-Australia nuclear submarine cooperation involves the transfer of a large amount of weapons-grade highly enriched uranium from nuclear-weapon states to non-nuclear-weapon states, which poses a serious risk of nuclear proliferation and violates the purpose and purpose of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

The three countries' claim that they will abide by the highest nuclear non-proliferation standards is pure deception. In essence, they are coercing the IAEA Secretariat to make arrangements for safeguards, supervision and immunity, seriously undermining the agency's authority. China firmly opposes this.

　　The Chinese side must once again solemnly point out that nuclear submarine cooperation is related to the integrity, effectiveness and authority of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

Relevant safeguards and supervision issues involve the interests of all member states of the Agency and should be discussed and decided by all members of the Agency through a transparent, open and inclusive intergovernmental process.

Before all parties reach a consensus, the United States, Britain, and Australia should not carry out nuclear submarine cooperation, and the secretariat of the agency should not negotiate and sign safeguard arrangements with the three countries without authorization.

　　It should be emphasized that the Asia-Pacific is the most dynamic and fastest-growing region in the world, and this situation is extremely precious.

China urges the three countries to listen to the voice of the international community and regional countries, abandon the outdated Cold War zero-sum mentality and narrow geopolitical concepts, earnestly fulfill their international obligations, and refrain from doing things that undermine regional and world peace and stability.

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