The Chinese government is heavily criticizing a planned deployment of up to six American nuclear capable B-52’s to Australia’s Northern Territory. The U.S. is preparing to construct dedicated facilities for the bombers at the Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, which lies south of Darwin. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said, “The relevant U.S. behaviors have increased regional tensions, seriously undermined regional peace and stability, and may trigger an arms race in the region.” A U.S. Air Force spokesperson said that the ability to deploy U.S. bombers to Australia “sends a strong message to adversaries about our ability to project lethal air power.”
