China Decries Arms Race as U.S. Allies Unite on Nuclear Subs
- ‘The biggest surprise in Australian geopolitics in decades’
- Partnership triggers rift with allies France, New Zealand
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China slammed a move by the U.S. and U.K. to help Australia build nuclear submarines, saying the new partnership will stoke an “arms race” as tensions heat up in Asia-Pacific waters.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison joined with U.S. President Joe Biden and the U.K.’s Boris Johnson on Wednesday night to announce a new security partnership that will see Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines. While it could take more than a decade for Australia to build one, the agreement shows the U.S. joining with key English-speaking allies to form a more cohesive defense arrangement to offset China’s rising military prowess.