China  worry about new Australian nuclear sub base under Aukus

• Australian plans come months after signing Indo-Pacific security pact with US and Britain
• Worsening China ties a major catalyst for decision, says analyst in Shanghai, while another in Hong Kong sees boost to US power in the region

  Australia’s decision to build a nuclear submarine base will pose a threat to China, an analyst has warned, while another said it is a sign for Beijing to rethink its approach to foreign relations.

This comes after Australia announced it would build a new nuclear-powered submarine base off its east coast, months after signing an Indo-Pacific security deal with the US and Britain that China slammed as “extremely irresponsible”.

The base will cost more than A$10 billion (US$7.3 billion), with “three preferred locations” identified, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said as he announced the plan on Monday, highlighting the need to “deter threats against [Australia’s] national interest in the Indo-Pacific”.

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