Beijing, 26 November 2021 (TDI): China has opposed the Trilateral Nuclear Submarine Cooperation between the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia.
China has expressed grave concerns over Trilateral Nuclear Submarine cooperation on multiple occasions. China emphasizes that this nuclear cooperation will create an arms race in the world leading to nuclear proliferation. The Chinese government has been urging the world to block the attempts for enhancing nuclear proliferation in the world.
In this regard, the Chinese Permanent Mission to Vienna requested the Board of Governor (BoG) of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to debate on the Nuclear Submarine Cooperation. The BoG of IAEA accepted the Chinese proposal and added it to the meeting’s official agenda.
China has expressed its grave concerns about & firm objection to the US-UK-Australia nuclear submarine cooperation on multiple occasions. Under China’s proposal, the IAEA BoG added issues related to the trilateral nuclear submarine cooperation to the meeting’s official agenda.
— Fu Cong 傅聪 (@FuCong17) November 26, 2021
Trilateral Nuclear Submarine Cooperation undermines International Security
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian in his regular press conference on 25 November 2021 stated that nuclear submarine cooperation is a diverse issue that includes political, legal, and technical issues. Therefore, China appreciates this step by the Bog of IAEA toward proper resolution of the issue.
He stressed that nuclear submarine cooperation is a threat to the peace and security of the world. He emphasized that trilateral cooperation also violates the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). It opposes the authority and integrity of NPT. It undermines the international security order, security, and stability not only of the region but also of the world, he added.
Zhao urged the international community to participate in the debate on nuclear submarine cooperation. He stressed that the US, UK, and Australia should not be allowed to proceed with nuclear submarine cooperation. He also urged the IAEA Secretariat to not facilitate the three countries in their nuclear submarine cooperation. IAEA should not discuss with the three countries on so-called safeguards arrangements until the multilateral consensus is achieved, he added.
