After the US, UK, and Australia jointly announced a technology sharing agreement to support Australia in building nuclear-powered submarines, China immediately reacted harshly.
The Chinese government described the trilateral agreement as an `extremely irresponsible` threat to regional stability, expressed skepticism about Australia’s nuclear non-proliferation commitment and warned its Western allies.
In response to this reaction, in an interview on 2GB radio channel on September 17, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that China `also has a very large nuclear submarine building program`.
`China has the right to make decisions in its national interest in its defense agreements, so of course Australia and all other countries have the same right,` he said.
Submarine HMAS Sheean at Beauty Point port, Tasmania state of Australia on February 27.
In a series of interviews with Australian media, Prime Minister Morrison said the government is responding to changing dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region, where territorial disputes are becoming hotter and more competitive.
`Australia is very concerned about China’s nuclear submarine capabilities and growing military investment,` Morrison said on Channel 7. `We are interested in ensuring that international waters and airspace remain
Morrison said Australia wanted to ensure there were no `no-go zones` in areas governed by international law.
China claims unreasonable sovereignty over most of the East Sea, illegally builds up features in this area and deploys many weapons, including anti-ship missiles and anti-aircraft missiles.
Beijing also ignored the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling, according to which China’s `historic rights` and `9-dash line` claims have no legal basis under international law.
Relations between Canberra and Beijing cooled after Australia banned Chinese companies from investing in sensitive sectors in the country and publicly called for an investigation into the origin of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison leaves the British Prime Minister’s Office in London after talks on June 15.
Prime Minister Morrison said the new defense alliance between Australia and the UK and US, announced after more than 18 months of discussion, would `exist forever`.
`The alliance involves a very important commitment not just today but for the future. That’s why I call it a perpetual partnership. This is one of the commitments to keep safe
Speaking during a trip to Washington, Australian Foreign Minister Peter Dutton criticized the reaction of some Chinese officials and media, calling it `counterproductive, immature and shameful behavior`.
In an interview with Sky News, Dutton said Australia just wants to ensure lasting peace and stability in the region.
