Submarine deal 'part of a powerful propaganda campaign to foster fear of China'

Image by Vedang Tandel on Unsplash

The new security pact between Australia, Britain and the US - which includes supplying nuclear powered submarines to the Royal Australian Navy - has been described by an Australian missionary, active with Pax Christi Australia, as "part of a powerful propaganda campaign to foster fear of China."

"AUKUS is nothing new except that it is a revitalisation of three countries that colonised this region in the 1880's and is doing it again," said Fr Claude Mostowik of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. He added: "AUKUS is a continuation of Australia abdicating its sovereignty. After being on the coattails of Britain until the Second World War we are now joined at the hip with the USA which is a greater threat to our security and our capacity to say 'no' to US interventions in the regions."

Last weekend, speaking alongside the Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese and President Jo Biden of the US, the British prime minister Rishi Sunak said: "Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, China's growing assertiveness, the destabilising behaviour of Iran and North Korea - all threaten to create a world codefined by danger, disorder and division." Australia will become just the second after the UK to receive Washington's elite nuclear propulsion technology. The submarines will be able to operate further and faster than the country's existing diesel-engine fleet and Australia will also be able to carry out long-range strikes against enemies for the first time.

Fr Mostowik felt that China is not seen as a threat by many in the peace movement or by many enlightened academics. He said, "much of the rhetoric is about increased need for protection by armaments, including nuclear, rather than focusing on engagement, dialogue, diplomacy and negotiation that leads to understanding." He takes the view, "we must talk down the possibility of conflict and talk up the need for collaboration and understanding as a way to peace and stability." He felt very few leaders are taking the latter position, with notable exceptions being Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, and Pope Francis. "Will we listen to them rather than those who have much to profit from military conflict?"

Ann Farr, Chair of Pax Christi England and Wales, commented that, "in announcing the increase in military spending, the Prime Minister binds us in agreements with Australia and the US that are not in our interest." She felt, "investing in weapons, including nuclear submarines, will not make us any safer from large hostile powers but will make us possible targets and so more vulnerable."