(The Guardian) China takes aim at US-Australian bomber plans
China has accused the US and Australia of escalating regional tensions with the plan to deploy up to six American nuclear-capable B-52 aircraft to the Northern Territory.
Officials in Canberra yesterday confirmed that the US-funded aircraft parking apron at RAAF Base Tindal, 320km south-east of Darwin, would be capable of accommodating up to six B-52 aircraft at a time but said it could also house other aircraft types. The project is now in the design phase.
A spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry, Zhao Lijian, said at a daily press conference in Beijing last night: All countries’ defence and security cooperation needs to contribute to regional peace and stability and must not target any third party or undermine their interests. Such a move by the US and Australia escalates regional tensions, gravely undermines regional peace and stability, and may trigger an arms race in the region. China urges parties concerned to abandon the outdated cold war zero-sum mentality and narrow geopolitical mindset, and do more things that are good for regional peace and stability and mutual trust among all parties.
The detailed plans were aired on the ABC’s Four Corners program last night amid increasing concerns in Canberra and Washington about Beijing’s own military buildup and its threat to take Taiwan by force.
China has accused the US and Australia of escalating regional tensions with the plan to deploy up to six American nuclear-capable B-52 aircraft to the Northern Territory.
Officials in Canberra yesterday confirmed that the US-funded aircraft parking apron at RAAF Base Tindal, 320km south-east of Darwin, would be capable of accommodating up to six B-52 aircraft at a time but said it could also house other aircraft types. The project is now in the design phase.
A spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry, Zhao Lijian, said at a daily press conference in Beijing last night: All countries’ defence and security cooperation needs to contribute to regional peace and stability and must not target any third party or undermine their interests. Such a move by the US and Australia escalates regional tensions, gravely undermines regional peace and stability, and may trigger an arms race in the region. China urges parties concerned to abandon the outdated cold war zero-sum mentality and narrow geopolitical mindset, and do more things that are good for regional peace and stability and mutual trust among all parties.
The detailed plans were aired on the ABC’s Four Corners program last night amid increasing concerns in Canberra and Washington about Beijing’s own military buildup and its threat to take Taiwan by force.
