Former Australian leader: Submarine deal designed to protect US from China

Former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating condemned the submarine deal between the U.S. and Australia, saying it was designed to help the U.S., not Australia, warn off China. 

“Eight submarines against China, when we get the submarine in 20 years’ time, it’ll be like throwing a handful of toothpicks at a mountain,” Keating, who has been criticized as an apologist for China amid tensions over the years, told the National Press Club on Wednesday, The Associated Press reported.

Earlier this fall, Australia dropped a submarine deal with France in order to obtain nuclear powered submarines from the U.S.

The deal with France would have given Australia 12 diesel-electric submarines.

Keating said France was treated “appallingly” and Australia should have just restructured its deal with the nation.

“If we were unhappy about the fact that we were having trouble trying to stuff a diesel engine into the hull of a French nuclear submarine, why didn’t we at least inquire about their most modern nuclear submarine?” Keating said, according to the AP.

The nuclear powered submarines from the U.S. will be used to try to contain China’s nuclear powered submarines to the country’s coast, Keating said. 

Keating, who led the government from 1991 to 1996, has been vocal about his criticisms of Australia and China’s relationship that has fallen over the years. 

“For some time, people with insight in Australia have voiced objective and rational views on China-Australia relations and put forward helpful suggestions on improving bilateral relations,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said about Keating’s comments. “The Australian government should take them seriously and earnestly reflect on its behaviors.”

Keating also spoke out against Australia defending Taiwan, the democratically run island that says it is an independent country but China claims as its own, the AP noted.