China condemns Aukus submarine plan as threat to peace in the Pacific

The Chinese mission to the United Nations said the UK and US were violating the terms of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in transferring weapons-grade enriched uranium to a non-nuclear weapons power

(left to right) Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese, US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announce the latest stage of the Aukus agreement (Leon Neal/PA)

China has accused the UK, US and Australia of fuelling a new arms race after an agreement by the three powers to develop a new generation of nuclear-powered submarines.

The Chinese mission to the United Nations said the UK and US were violating the terms of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in transferring weapons-grade enriched uranium to a non-nuclear weapons power.