He added: “Those have enormous implications in a variety of scenarios, including cross-strait circumstances. So I think I would argue that working closely with other nations, not just diplomatically but defense avenues, has the consequences of strengthening peace and stability.”
The partnership between the three countries was announced in 2021 and met with outrage from China. Foreign Ministry spokesperson said it “undermines regional peace and stability and intensifies the arms race.”
China, who believes Taiwan to be part of its territory, slammed AUKUS for directly targeting it and its military, however, Biden administration officials maintained it is “not aimed or about any one country”.
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Joe Biden himself also stood firm in defending the alliance despite the backlash from China. He said it marked a “historic step” in recognising “the imperative of ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific over the long term.”
Xi Jinping has previously said he would not rule out the use of froce in order to lay claim over Taiwan, a sentiment that is echoes throughout his Communist Party.
Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Colonel Wu Qian recently told a press briefing: “Taiwan is China’s Taiwan, and there is no such thing as ‘forbidden and restricted waters’ in the Xiamen-Kinmen waters.”
