China is embarking on a diplomatic mission to torpedo Australia's nuclear submarine program while ramping up its own arsenal, but the move appears to be driven by genuine fear over the real agenda behind AUKUS, writes Bill Birtles.

China has made no secret of its plans to diplomatically thwart Australia’s AUKUS submarine plan, which it sees as part of a broader US effort to contain China’s future military dominance of Asia.

Beijing’s mission to the United Nations yesterday slammed the announcement that Australia will obtain several American nuclear-powered submarines as part of the deal, saying it “fuels arms races and hurts peace and stability”.