China should prepare to use nuclear weapons to fight back against the new alliances the US is forming, including AUKUS. That was the statement made by former Chinese ambassador to the UN Sha Zukang, the Daily Mail reported
Zukang believes it is time to “revise and adjust” the long-standing commitment not to launch nuclear strikes first, as the US military presence increases. According to the diplomat, Beijing’s current policy has given “moral authority” but is “not suitable” as a response to Washington’s policy, which could threaten security in the region.
On 16 September, the US, Britain and Australia entered into a defence partnership agreement. The alliance was named AUKUS (Australia, United Kingdom, United States). The purpose of the deal is to protect and promote the common interests of the parties in the Indo-Pacific region and to join forces in the development of the defence sector.
The creation of the alliance led Australia to cancel $66 billion worth of submarine construction contracts with France in favour of building nuclear-powered submarines. Paris called Canberra’s actions a “stab in the back” and recalled its ambassador from the country for the first time ever.