By Special Correspondent
China has raised valid questions regarding nuclear sub-marine cooperation between The United States, Britain, and Australia and warned the move can create nuclear proliferation risks and undermines the international non-proliferation system.
” The nuclear submarine cooperation between the three countries involves the transfer of large amounts of weapons-grade nuclear material. Australia will even acquire nuclear-capable missiles. If Australia makes the dangerous decision to develop nuclear weapons, it will need significantly less time to do so because of the cooperation. All this provides little assurance to the international community,” a press release issued by the Chinese Embassy in the UK stated on Friday.
” The effective function of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime has never been based on countries’ intentions, but their nuclear capabilities and whether there are effective safeguards in place. When it comes to nuclear non-proliferation, Australia does not have an impeccable record. After the Second World War, several Australian administrations sought to purchase tactical nuclear weapons from the US and UK. Today, there are still strong views in Australia calling for acquiring nuclear weapons,” it added.
The nuclear submarine cooperation between three powerful countries of the world has sent shocking waves across the world. While no significant reaction came forth either by International Atomic Energy Commission or any other group, the Chinese Embassy has highlighted the risks involved in this cooperation.
” No matter what pretext is used, it is clear that the wrong action of the US, the UK, and Australia stokes bloc confrontation, creates regional instability and tensions, and undermines the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. The three countries must immediately stop playing group politics and provoking bloc confrontation, and refrain from coercing the IAEA into endorsing their nuclear submarine cooperation. They should not go further down the wrong and dangerous path for the sake of their selfish interests,” the Chinese Embassy stated in a press release issued to the media on Friday.