The Chinese representative exposed and criticized the US-British-Australian nuclear submarine cooperation: covering up the ears and stealing the bell, and darkening the dark position

Berlin, 6 Jun (ZXS) -- The Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (hereinafter referred to as "the Agency") is meeting in Vienna in June. Under the impetus of China, the Agency considered the issue of US-UK-Australia nuclear submarine cooperation in the form of intergovernmental discussions for the eighth consecutive time. Li Song, Permanent Representative of China to the International Atomic Energy Agency, delivered a special speech on the 8th, exposing and criticizing the essence of the nuclear submarine cooperation of the three countries, emphasizing the complexity and controversy of the issue, and calling on all parties to jointly promote the intergovernmental discussion process within the framework of the Agency and practice true multilateralism with practical actions. Representatives of more than 8 countries, including Russia, Pakistan, Egypt, South Africa, Indonesia, Brazil and Argentina, spoke enthusiastically during the Council, echoing China's position and proposition.

Li Song said that the essence of US-UK-Australia nuclear submarine cooperation is that the United States and Britain, as nuclear-weapon states, carry out nuclear submarine cooperation with non-nuclear-weapon countries and military ally Australia, involving the transfer of several tons of weapons-grade highly enriched uranium. The above-mentioned strategic military cooperation between the United States, Britain and Australia for well-known geopolitical purposes has crossed the threshold of principles and practice of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons as never before. This has seriously impacted the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and posed a serious challenge to the institutional safeguards mechanism.

Li Song pointed out that the US-UK-Australia nuclear submarine cooperation is a product of the Cold War mentality and camp confrontation. The "politicization" and "polarization" of this issue in institutions and coercion of member states to choose sides are also the embodiment of the Cold War mentality and camp confrontation. The attempt by the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia to package the cooperation between nuclear submarines among the three countries as a routine safeguards issue between non-nuclear-weapon States and the Agency's secretariat, and to invoke article 14 of the comprehensive safeguards agreement for exemption arrangements, is tantamount to concealing the ears and in fact trying to covert up and coerce the Secretariat to endorse this cooperation.

Li Song said that the United States, Britain and Australia claim to make relevant arrangements with the agency secretariat, thus setting a precedent for countries seeking "naval power reactors" in the future. Who gave the Three Kingdoms such rights? Are there any opportunities for other countries to be heard? Li Song asked the three countries, in the past, when you set rules for others, you all emphasized "intergovernmental processes led by member states", but this time if you want to set rules for yourself and then impose such rules on other member states, you are very reluctant to the intergovernmental process that should be universally participated by all parties, and obstruct it in every way.

Li Song stressed that US-UK-Australia nuclear submarine cooperation involves complex political, security, legal, technical and other issues, and there are huge disputes among member states. During this Council, more member countries put forward important views and opinions from different perspectives. It is imperative that all countries work together to steadily advance an open, inclusive, transparent and sustainable intergovernmental discussion process. We urge the United States, Britain and Australia to respond to the concerns of the international community with concrete actions, faithfully fulfill their nuclear non-proliferation obligations, and maintain frank and transparent communication with other parties on the basis of equality and mutual respect. China hopes that the Director-General of the Agency will fully respect and objectively reflect the different views and concerns of all parties, and request the Secretariat to uphold the Agency's non-proliferation functions and authority in accordance with the Agency's statute and the mandates of Member States, and assist in advancing the intergovernmental discussion process.

After the meeting, Li Song accepted an exclusive interview with the media here. He said that judging from this meeting, China's diplomatic efforts have deepened the understanding of the member states of the United States, Britain and Australia on the issue of nuclear submarine cooperation, and promoted the intergovernmental discussion process of the agency on this issue. China will continue to actively advocate the practice of true multilateralism, resolutely safeguard the authority and effectiveness of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, firmly uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law, and resolutely oppose the Cold War mentality, camp confrontation and double standards. (End)