WH: AUKUS not about any nation

It is to advance strategic interests: Psaki

Washington, Sept.

The new trilateral security alliance AUKUS is not about any one country but aimed at advancing the strategic interests of the US, Britain and Australia and upholding the international rules-based order while promoting peace and stability in the IndoPacific, the White House has said.

The US, Britain and Australia on Wednesday announced the AUKUS alliance for the Indo-Pacific to take on the threats of the 21st century and allow for greater sharing of defence capabilities, including help Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines, in a bid to counter China’s growing power in the strategically vital region.

Unveiling the ambitious security initiative virtually, US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison in a joint statement said their move will promote stability in the Indo-Pacific and support of their shared values and interests.

“This partnership announced yesterday is not about any one country. This is about advancing our strategic interests, the strategic interest of the United States, upholding the international rules-based order, and promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said at her daily news conference.

Psaki was responding to a question on the Chinese reaction to the alliance. China on Thursday sharply criticised the trilateral alliance, saying such grouping has no future

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and will gravely undermine regional stability and aggravate the arms race and hurt international non-proliferation efforts.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said: “To form an exclusive and closed clique or small group goes against the trend of the times and the aspiration of regional countries”. The relevant countries should abandon the obsolete Cold War zero-sum mentality and narrow-minded geopolitical concept, respect regional people’s aspirations and do more things conducive to regional peace, stability and development, Zhao said.

“I would note that the UK and Australia have a long history as the United States of upholding the international rules-based order,” Psaki said.

“So, our hope is that the three countries who have consistently worked with regional supporters to support a secure and stable, and peaceful Indo-Pacific can now work together to do exactly that.”

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