On March 2, 2022, China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna Wang Qun attended a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA Board of Governors in Vienna, Austria. GUO CHEN XINHUA VIENNA China reiterated concerns over the nuclear weapon material transfer involved in AUKUS, saying the issue should be addressed under the international non-proliferation regime.
Wang Qun, Chinese envoy to the United Nations and other international organizations in Vienna, made remarks after a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA Board of Governors.
The meeting decided by consensus to set up a formal agenda item on Transfer of Nuclear Material in the context of AUKUS and its safeguards in all aspects under the NPT Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons at China's proposal, Wang said.
The Chinese envoy said it was the third time the IAEA board meeting included the issue of AUKUS in its agenda, reflecting the international community's concerns over the trilateral deal.
In September 2021, the United States, Britain and Australia announced the establishment of AUKUS, under which the United States and Britain will assist Australia in its acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines.
Wang called on the three countries to heed the call of the international community, fulfill their legal obligations on non-proliferation and immediately report all relevant information about nuclear weapon material transfer under AUKUS.
Wang said that he hopes that the IAEA board meeting would continue to focus on core issues of AUKUS and find solutions to safeguard the NPT and the international non-proliferation regime.