Australia FM stresses AUKUS will not create nuclear weapons

“We remain very clear that we do not seek, nor would we ever seek to arm, (to) have any nuclear capability on our submarines," Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong stressed on June 28 that her country's security pact with the U. K. and the U. S. will not create nuclear weapons and said she hoped concerns that it may spark a regional arms race would dissipate over time.

“We are not a nuclear power. There are nuclear powers in this region, but Australia is not one of them,” Ms. Wong told a news conference after meeting with her Malaysian counterpart Saifuddin Abdullah.

Under the AUKUS agreement, Australia is to acquire nuclear-powered submarines. Some countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, including Malaysia, fear the pact could escalate tensions in hot spots such as the disputed South China Sea, much of which is claimed by China, and have warned the pact will threaten regional stability.

“We remain very clear that we do not seek, nor would we ever seek to arm, (to) have any nuclear capability on our submarines," she said.

“I think sometimes people hear the word nuclear and I understand there's a response to that, (but) we are talking about nuclear propulsion, not nuclear weapons." Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri has said his government rejects any alliances that share nuclear weapons or related technology.

“We are worried that some other major economies will take advantage of AUKUS,” he said in an interview with Japan's Nikkei newspaper in May. “For example, if China wants to help North Korea purchase nuclear-powered submarines, we can't say no because AUKUS has set a precedent.” Ms. Wong said Australia's new government, sworn in on June 1, is committed to ensuring the region is peaceful, stable and prosperous.