China's Wang Yi Warns AUKUS Pact Risks Nuclear Proliferation in South Pacific

China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, criticized the AUKUS security pact during a visit to Papua New Guinea, accusing Western powers of provoking division and risking nuclear proliferation in the South Pacific.

The AUKUS agreement allows the US and UK to equip Australia with nuclear-powered but conventionally armed submarines.

Wang stated that this goes against a South Pacific treaty banning nuclear weapons and poses serious nuclear proliferation risks.

Beijing has been attempting to increase its influence in Papua New Guinea and other South Pacific islands, which have natural resources and strategic importance due to their location.

Australia is currently the largest donor to Papua New Guinea, but Chinese firms have been making inroads into the impoverished nation's markets.

In response to a recent announcement by the AUKUS nations (Australia, UK, and US) about potential military technology cooperation with Japan, China's foreign minister criticized the move and highlighted the development of advanced warfighting capabilities such as artificial intelligence, undersea drones, and hypersonic missiles under the AUKUS agreement.

The foreign minister of China, Wang Yi, criticized recent efforts to involve more countries in actions that could lead to conflict between blocs and division, specifically referring to the situation in Solomon Islands.

He expressed that such actions are inconsistent with the urgent needs of island countries, which were holding elections at the time.

Implicitly, Wang was commenting on Australia and the US's relations with Solomon Islands.