China Issues Nuclear Submarine Warning to Australia, Boasts of Capabilities

The vice-president of the Center for China and Globalisation (CCG) has issued Australia a warning over acquiring nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS agreement, just days after his nation test-fired a nuclear-capable ballistic missile in the Pacific.

"Australia should really treasure the luxury of being a nuclear-free country," Victor Gao, vice-president of the CCG, told 7.30.

That warning was followed by a boast about China's own nuclear capabilities, which Professor Gao said were on par with those of the United States.

As of 2024, the Pentagon estimated China's nuclear warhead stockpile numbers were in the low 600s, and it predicted that arsenal would climb to more than 1,000 operational warheads by 2030.

But Professor Gao told 7.30 it was folly for other nations to guess at Chinese capabilities.

"You never know how many nuclear warheads China has, and this is the biggest strategic ambiguity in our times," he said.

"Last year … I made a point [that] no country should ever imagine imposing a nuclear war on China because, while China will not tell you how many nuclear warheads China has, China will have enough nuclear warheads to annihilate the country which dares to impose a nuclear war on China.

"This is the strategic certainty and the assurance in our time."

The stark words came in the aftermath of the test that was condemned by Pacific leaders and described as "provocative" by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Professor Gao dismissed Monday's test, launched from a nuclear-powered submarine, as "very routine".

However, it was China's first test of such a weapon since September 2024, when it conducted a land-based launch.

Asked if the world would see more testing from China, Professor Gao again looked to promote China's nuclear strength.

"China has already declared to the world its nuclear launch capabilities can touch any corner, in any part of the world within 20 minutes or so," he said.

"No country should be an obstacle to China's testing like this.

"I hope every country in the world, including Australia, should be very happy to see that China's declared nuclear policies not to use nuclear weapons against any non-nuclear weapon country."

'Australia should be grateful'

China's test on Monday came just hours after Mr Albanese and his Fiji counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka unveiled the Ocean of Peace Alliance, along with the Vuvale Union treaty, following months of secretive negotiations.

Professor Gao said the timing of the test had nothing to do with the alliance and was instead timed to coincide with the anniversary of the July 7 incident with Japan, which took place in 1937.

On Monday night, Foreign Minister Penny Wong told 7.30 that she could not speak to China's intentions on the launch but also insisted that the test was "destabilising".

Professor Gao, echoing China's foreign ministry spokesperson, insisted China was within its rights to conduct the test.

"Australia should have no reason to be surprised about that," Professor Gao said.

"China follows international protocol in notifying countries of concern for this testing.

"I hope China and Australia will really get along with each other, not only as two very large economic trading partners, but also more and more sharing and coordinating on political matters or even geopolitical matters.

"The Pacific is not a prohibited region for nuclear testing and China has absolute legitimacy in doing this kind of testing without violating any international protocol."