BANGKOK, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- The new security pact among the United States, Britain and Australia, known as AUKUS, would cast a shadow over the peace, stability and security in the Asia Pacific region, said Yang Baoyun, a professor specializing in ASEAN studies at Thailand's Thammasat University.

The pact, announced last week and under which the first initiative is the delivery of a nuclear-powered submarine fleet to Australia by the other two, has triggered widespread concerns and criticism.

Yang said Australia has rich uranium resources, laying the foundation for a potential nuclear industry in the country.

"If nuclear submarines are developed with the support of American and British technology, it is possible that the country will also make progress in nuclear material processing technologies, leading to higher risk of nuclear proliferation," he said.

"This would undoubtedly cast a shadow over the peace, stability and security in the Asia Pacific region," he added.

Australia's possession of nuclear-powered submarines, coupled with its ability to carry ballistic missiles, would disrupt the strategic balance in the region, the expert said. "It could even cause the proliferation of carriers" for weapons of mass destruction, and "pose a direct threat to neighboring countries."

The pact will also exacerbate the already uncertain and challenging international situation as the world is facing the combined impacts of changes unseen in a century and the COVID-19 pandemic, Yang said.

He noted that all countries should stick to the path of peaceful development, jointly oppose unilateralism and hegemonism, and safeguard world peace and development. Enditem

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