China Accuses West of Fanning Nuclear Danger

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi accused Western partners in the AUKUS security pact on Saturday of fomenting division and increasing the risk of nuclear proliferation in the South Pacific region.

Wang Yi criticized the defense pact, which entails the United States and Britain providing Australia with nuclear-powered submarines instead of conventional ones.

During a visit to Papua New Guinea to strengthen relations with this long-time ally of Australia, Wang warned that the AUKUS trilateral agreement "contradicts" the treaty establishing a nuclear-free zone in the South Pacific.

He said, during a press conference after he met with his counterpart in Papua New Guinea, Justin Tkatchenko, "AUKUS also poses serious risks regarding nuclear proliferation."

In recent years, Beijing has sought to reduce American and Australian influence in the South Pacific, including in Papua New Guinea.

The Pacific Islands have a small population but are rich in natural resources and are located at a strategic crossroads, which could be of strategic importance in any military conflict over Taiwan.