Beijing Accuses AUKUS of Undermining Regional Peace, Calls for Oversight From UN Nuclear Watchdog

U.S. President Joe Biden participates in a virtual press conference on national security with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (R) and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 15, 2021. The three leaders announced the AUKUS defence partnership between their countries. Brendan Smialkowski/AFP via Getty Images

Beijing has warned the three AUKUS nations of undermining peace and security in the Indo-Pacific if efforts to arm Australia with nuclear-powered submarines continue.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Zhao Lijian said in a press briefing on July 29 that Beijing opposed cooperation between the three governments and that it allegedly “sparked serious concern in the international community.”