Iran Press/ Asia: China on Thursday slammed nuclear submarine cooperation between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, calling it a grave threat to regional peace and stability.
On Wednesday, the three countries announced an Indo-Pacific diplomatic, security and defense cooperation pact, under which the U.S. and the UK will export "highly sensitive" nuclear submarine technology to Australia.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told a regular news briefing in Beijing that the countries' move gravely undermines regional peace and stability, intensifies the arms race, and harms the international non-proliferation efforts.
France calls the move a 'stab in the back'
France accused U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday of backstabbing and acting like his predecessor Donald Trump after Paris was pushed aside from the lucrative submarine deal.
U.S. President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday jointly announced the alliance, called AUKUS, at a videoconference. 219
