WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Australia and the United States announced expanded military cooperation on Thursday, including rotational deployments of all types of U.S. military aircraft to Australia, a day after announcing a submarine deal denounced by China as intensifying a regional arms race. The United States, Britain and Australia were “severely damaging regional peace and stability, intensifying an arms race, and damaging international nuclear non-proliferation efforts,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said. The White House defended the U.S. decision to provide Australia with advanced technology for nuclear-powered submarines, rejecting criticism from both China and France. Blinken said the United States had been in touch with French counterparts in the last 24-48 hours to discuss the new partnership with Australia. Dutton said the nuclear-powered option France had was “not superior” to that operated by Britain and the United States.

Source: MetroXpress September 16, 2021 18:33 UTC