China is furious over a new US-UK-Australia nuclear submarine deal that could counter Beijing's growing military might

China tore into the US, UK, and Australia for signing a defense technology deal that would help Australia form a nuclear-powered submarine fleet — a partnership that experts believe also serves as a response to Beijing's rapidly growing military might.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian called the deal "extremely irresponsible" and said the trio of nations "should abandon the outdated Cold War zero-sum mentality and narrow-minded geopolitical stability."

"Otherwise, they will only end up shooting themselves in the foot," he said at a press conference on Thursday.

Zhao highlighted Australia's use of...