China responds to the nuclear intentions of Australia

China has criticized Canberra's plan to purchase up to five nuclear-powered submarines from the US, calling it a violation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). On Monday, US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Australian PM Anthony Albanese announced plans for a new class of submarines, SSN-AUKUS, that will be built in the UK and Australia with US technology and support sometime in the late 2030s or early 2040s. However, in order to obtain the new capability as soon as possible, Australia will first purchase at least three Virginia-class submarines. Beijing has repeatedly criticized the trio for stretching the limits of nuclear proliferation, as the US-built subs are fueled with weapons-grade highly enriched uranium, but the allies insist that a loophole exempts naval reactors from NPT safeguards. China's diplomatic mission called the planned transfer of nuclear technology and materials a "textbook case of double standard" and urged the trio to "honor their obligations as members of the NPT."