China has accused Australia, the US, and the UK (AUKUS) of forming an “Asia-Pacific NATO” after the alliance announced that they would be jointly developing hypersonic weapons to keep up with China and Russia amid a hypersonic weapons race.

“Its (AUKUS’) ultimate goal is to build a NATO replica in the Asia-Pacific to serve the US hegemony and self-interests through and through. Asia-Pacific countries will resolutely say no to it for sure,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian’s Regular Press Conference on April 6, 2022 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China). Source: https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/xwfw_665399/s2510_665401/2511_665403/202204/t20220406_10665019.html
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian’s Regular Press Conference on April 6, 2022 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China)