China renews attack on AUKUS pact, accuses West of risking nuclear proliferation in South Pacific

The Chinese foreign minister seized on a recent announcement by the AUKUS nations that they are considering cooperating with Japan on military technology. Under the AUKUS agreement, the partners plan to develop advanced warfighting capabilities such as artificial intelligence, undersea drones and hypersonic missiles. China condemned the Western powers in the AUKUS security pact, accusing them of sowing discord and increasing the risk of nuclear proliferation in the South Pacific. During a visit to Papua New Guinea, foreign minister Wang Yi lashed out at AUKUS, which involves the United States and Britain providing Australia with nuclear-powered submarines armed with conventional…