Wenbin added, in a press conference in response to a question about US President Joe Biden’s statement that he will speak with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping soon, that China believes that “the value and importance of communication lies in improving understanding between the two countries, managing differences, and not just communicating for the sake of communication.” According to Reuters news agency.
Wenbin said that in pursuit of selfish geopolitical interests, Australia, the United States and Britain ignored the concerns of the international community and went further in a “dangerous path”, after the announcement in California of Australia’s purchase of 3 nuclear-powered submarines, noting that China considers this step ” An extension of the Cold War mentality.
Wenbin reiterated Beijing’s rejection of the agreement, saying that the deployment of nuclear-powered submarines or other advanced military technology would affect global stability and security.
“Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States ignored the concerns of the international community and went down a dangerous path,” he said.
The spokesman considered that the agreement undermines the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, saying that transparent international discussions must be pushed in the International Atomic Energy Agency to address the proliferation risks posed by the nuclear submarine agreement.
Biden said, Monday, that Australia will buy 3 US nuclear-propelled submarines of the “Virginia” class, with the possibility of purchasing 2 more, within the framework of the “Okos” agreement, which includes the United States, Britain and Australia.
In turn, Russia accused, on Tuesday, the United States, Australia and Britain of orchestrating a “confrontation that will last for years” in Asia by launching the Okus alliance, according to Agence France-Presse.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, “The Anglo-Saxon world is building blocs like Okus, developing the infrastructure of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Asia, and betting seriously on a confrontation that will last for many years.”
The first Australian submarine, the SSN-Ocos class, will be delivered in 2042 and one will be built every three years until the fleet reaches eight.
Source: shorouknews.com