China condemns deployment of US B-52s to Australia

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – China has condemned reported US plans to deploy as many as six B-52 bombers to northern Australia as part of a plan to build maintenance facilities and parking places for the bombers at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, the Washington Times reports.

First manufactured in 1955 and continually updated since then, B-52s were originally made to carry nuclear weapons.

According to ABC News, experts believe that the presence of US bombers in northern Australia could present a warning to China amid growing concern about a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. In any event, it is not yet known when the US B-52s will be deployed to Tindal.

In a statement condemning the US plan Monday, officials with China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said defense and security cooperation issues should “contribute to regional peace and stability,” the Times reports.

“Such a move by the U.S. and Australia escalates regional tensions, gravely undermines regional peace and stability, and may trigger an arms race in the region,” Chinese Foreign Affairs ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said.

“China urges parties concerned to abandon the outdated Cold War zero-sum mentality and narrow geopolitical mindset, and do more things that are good for regional peace and stability and mutual trust among all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,” Zhao added.

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