China urges US, UK and Australia not to advance nuclear submarine cooperation

FILE PHOTO: A whale is seen near the Faslane nuclear submarine base in Gare Loch as rescuers are racing to herd a group of whales out of a Scottish loch ahead of major military exercises in Scotland, Britain. October 1, 2020 REUTERS/Russell Cheyne/File Photo

Source: X02429

China's foreign ministry said on Wednesday the United States, Britain and Australia should not advance their nuclear submarine cooperation until the international community has reached a consensus on safeguards and other issues.

Australia, Britain and the United States have agreed to work to transfer a fleet of eight nuclear powered and conventionally armed submarines to Australia by 2050 under their AUKUS programme.

The foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said the programme undermined efforts to maintain regional peace and security.

This article was produced by Reuters news agency. It has not been edited by Global South World.

By Reuters