AUKUS subs pact rattles China

China’s crocodile tears to the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna about Australia’s plans to acquire eight nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS pact with the US and Britain are absurd. According to China, which has the world’s largest navy of 355 vessels, including submarines equipped with nuclear missiles, AUKUS will involve “the illegal transfer of nuclear weapon materials” to Australia, in violation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. China’s representative to the IAEA, Wang Qun, has claimed the AUKUS deal “impairs the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, and undermines global strategic stability and international security order”.

In light of China’s military build-up across the Asia-Pacific, especially in the South China Sea, its claims in Vienna cannot be taken seriously. As the UK’s ambassador to the IAEA, Corinne Kitsell, said on behalf of the AUKUS partners, the highest possible non-proliferation standards were integral to the 18-month consultation under way about the optimal pathway for Australia to acquire conventionally armed, nuclear-powered subs. “Australia has voluntarily committed to not domestically enrich or reprocess nuclear material in support of the nuclear-powered submarine program,’’ she said. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi praised the AUKUS partners for “ensuring the highest non-proliferation and safeguards standards are met”.

Like all nations, China should be judged by its actions, not posturing. Wednesday’s meeting in Sydney between Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Chinese ambassador Xiao Qian, at his request, was welcome as the first face-to-face meeting between a senior government figure and a high-ranking Chinese ­official for two years. Since arriving in Australia, Mr Xiao has tried to ease tensions between the embassy and the government, which peaked under his predecessor, Cheng Jingye, and his release of Beijing’s “list of 14 grievances”. Mr Xiao’s approach in wanting to “push … relations back to the right track”, while welcome, would be more convincing if China dropped its unjust trade bans on Australian exports, including coal, wine, barley and seafood.

Senator Payne, rightly, stood Australia’s ground, setting out frank positions on human rights, stability in the Asia-Pacific, free trade and urging China to encourage Russia to end the illegal ­invasion of Ukraine.