The new security pact between the US, UK and Australia has already been denounced by China as "irresponsible", "narrow minded" and a "cold war mentality". The AUKUS pact will see Australia build a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines for its navy, using technology provided by the US.
The new partnership was announced in a joint virtual press conference between US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday. And while China was not mentioned directly, the three leaders referred repeatedly to regional security concerns which they said had "grown significantly". The pact will focus on military capability, separating it from the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance which New Zealand and Canada are part of. Lynn speaks to Foreign Affairs Minister, Nanaia Mahuta and Otago University's Professor of Politics and International Relations, Robert Patman.
Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Photo: AFP
