Penny Wong hits back at China’s claim Aukus nuclear submarines will fuel an arms race

Foreign minister set to visit south-east Asia and the Pacific to reassure countries Australia does not seek to escalate military tensions

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The Australian foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, has hit back at China's response to Aukus, insisting that its criticisms of the nuclear-powered submarine deal are not grounded in fact".

In an interview with Guardian Australia, Wong also signalled that she planned to make further visits to south-east Asia and the Pacific to reassure the region that Australia does not seek to escalate military tensions.

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