China Concerned About AUKUS Alliance Expansion

It is reported that the USA, UK, and Australia are about to begin negotiations to admit new members to the Australia-UK-US Security Treaty (AUKUS).

This was reported by the Financial Times, explaining that Washington is hoping for Japan’s participation in the security pact, which aims to deter China. US President Joe Biden is expected to make the announcement ahead of a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, scheduled at the White House on April 10.

In any case, there will be an ongoing dispute between the three allies on this issue. If Biden seems inclined to expand his activities in Tokyo (his next meeting with Kishida will discuss strengthening the alliance between the two countries), Australia and the UK are concerned because Japan is not yet ready militarily and not prepared to protect particularly sensitive data. Canada, New Zealand, and South Korea have also expressed interest in joining AUKUS at various times.

China’s reaction was not long in coming: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning explained that “the three countries participating in the so-called AUKUS continue to spread rumors about the expansion and involvement of other countries in the alliance, with disregard to the common concerns of the countries in the region and the international community about the proliferation of nuclear weapons. This has heightened tensions over the arms race in the Asia-Pacific region and undermined regional peace and stability. Therefore, China expresses its sharp dissatisfaction and opposes the exclusivity of the ‘small circles’ of some countries and the formation of inter-bloc confrontation.”