Aukus in sights as UN backs China on peaceful transfers of new security tech
- Peace and rights enjoyed by all nations should be protected, Chinese representative says in drawing attention to ‘abuse’ of export-control mechanisms
- The Aukus deal to help Australia acquire nuclear submarines was ‘a typical non-peaceful military exchange’, an observer says
The resolution, titled “Promoting International Cooperation on Peaceful Uses in the Context of International Security”, was narrowly approved by the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, with 75 votes in favour and 55 against, according to the website of the world body.
In a statement, the UN urged all member states to take concrete measures to promote international cooperation on materials, equipment and technology for peaceful purposes.
Geng Shuang, head of the Chinese delegation to the General Assembly and deputy-permanent representative to the UN, said in the face of the technological wave, the peace and rights enjoyed by all countries should be respected and protected.
“Today’s existing export-control mechanisms were set up with good original intentions, but they are often abused, causing interference and restrictions on normal economic, trade and scientific and technological cooperation, and many developing countries suffer as a result,” Geng said.
The international community should “better handle the relationship between development and security, non-proliferation and peaceful use; implement multilateral arms control treaties in a more comprehensive and balanced manner; and ensure that all countries fully enjoy the legitimate rights of peaceful use without affecting their non-proliferation obligations”, he added.
A total of 26 countries – including Cuba, Russia, Syria and Pakistan – proposed the resolution jointly with China.
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Hong Kong-based military expert Song Zhongping said Beijing is opposed to military exchanges that might endanger regional peace, especially those like the recent Aukus security partnership – which will see the US and UK help Australia to build nuclear-powered submarines.
Those views were echoed by Ni Lexiong, a military expert based in Shanghai. “I think this resolution targets the nuclear submarine construction deal between the US, United Kingdom and Australia, which is directly aimed at China.”
The United States was among countries that voted against China’s resolution, citing reasons like “this resolution misses an opportunity to ensure equitable access to new technologies”.
An article published by the US-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in September said the new Aukus security partnership was bad for nuclear non-proliferation efforts and set a “troubling precedent”.
