China issued a strong statement on Tuesday, firmly opposing any attempt by the Biden administration to connect the AUKUS pact (Australia, UK, US) to the Taiwan issue.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, expressed China's resolute opposition to such linkage, highlighting concerns about nuclear proliferation and the escalation of an arms race in the Asia-Pacific region.

The reaction came in response to reports quoting US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell's recent remarks, where he suggested linking the AUKUS pact to Taiwan to deter potential Chinese aggression. Mao Ning condemned Campbell's remarks as inflammatory and malicious, stating that they contribute to conflict escalation and undermine regional peace and stability.

China's claim over Taiwan as part of its territory is well-established, and the spokesperson reiterated that Taiwan's issue is China's internal affair, rejecting any external interference. Campbell's comments regarding AUKUS' submarine capabilities aimed at deterring Chinese actions in the Taiwan Strait were also scrutinised by Mao Ning, who questioned the US's intentions in linking the security partnership with Taiwan.

The AUKUS submarine project, according to Campbell, serves as a deterrent against Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific region, including scenarios involving Taiwan. This linkage, however, drew strong objections from China, emphasising its commitment to defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Mao Ning also criticised the US, UK, and Australia's involvement in the South China Sea dispute, asserting that they are not direct parties and should refrain from intervening in negotiations between relevant parties to resolve the issue peacefully.

She also pointed to recent tensions in the South China Sea, particularly referencing the Philippines' attempts to assert its claim over the Second Thomas Shoal, a move contested by China.

The ongoing jostling between Chinese and Philippine coast guard ships in the South China Sea underscores the complexity and sensitivity of maritime disputes in the region. China's expansive claims in the South China Sea, which are challenged by multiple countries, have been a source of regional tension and geopolitical manoeuvring.