China draws in ASEAN to counter AUKUS... Malaysian Defense Minister visits China

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[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] As some ASEAN countries sympathize with China's opposition to the security cooperation among the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom known as 'AUKUS,' AUKUS is emerging as a hot issue in regions such as the South China Sea.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Some ASEAN countries are concerned that the U.S. support for Australia's nuclear-powered submarine technology could be the first step toward Australia's development of nuclear weapons, raising fears of an arms race in the region.

China appears to be drawing some ASEAN countries that oppose AUKUS to build a new front against the U.S. alliance.

The Chinese state-run Global Times reported on the 24th that Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein visited China to discuss the risks posed by AUKUS and to explore joint response measures. The outlet did not specify the exact timing or location of the Malaysian defense minister's visit.

Ge Hongliang, director of the ASEAN Research Institute at Guangxi University, explained the background, saying, "Australia claims that its submarines will not be equipped with nuclear weapons and will only be nuclear-powered, but ASEAN countries find this hard to believe," adding, "The Malaysian defense minister is visiting China to hear China's position opposing interference by external forces."

The outlet also reported that Indonesia, along with Malaysia, has expressed concerns about the regional arms competition, including Australia's possession of nuclear-powered submarines.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

Additionally, the Global Times cited a Philippine expert stating that nuclear-powered submarines use enriched uranium that can be directly converted into nuclear weapons, arguing that this violates the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (ZOPFAN) signed in 1971 and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). However, the outlet added that the Philippines is the only ASEAN country supporting AUKUS.

The Global Times also projected that Australia's possession of nuclear-powered submarines could heighten tensions within the year and negatively impact the economy. It stated that once Australia's nuclear-powered submarines are commissioned, regional tensions will increase, inevitably leading to higher logistics costs such as freight and insurance fees for vessels operating in areas like the South China Sea.

Xinhua News Agency previously reported that Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein held discussions on the AUKUS issue with Brunei, the ASEAN chair, as well as related countries including Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam.

Xinhua reported that Indonesia is the most strongly opposed to the launch of AUKUS, noting that Indonesian President Joko Widodo canceled Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison's visit to Indonesia citing other commitments.

Xinhua criticized both the U.S. and Australia collectively, stating that AUKUS is merely a tool for U.S. interests and that it could destroy peace and stability in Southeast Asian countries such as those around the South China Sea.

Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, warned, "Australia is a non-nuclear-weapon state party to the NPT and the South Pacific Nuclear-Free Zone Treaty," adding, "Australia's actions not only undermine global nuclear non-proliferation efforts but also intensify the arms race in the region."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.