Beijing Hits Back at NATO’s Accusation of Challenging Bloc’s Interests and Security
BEIJING, July 12 (Reuters) – In response to NATO’s accusation that China challenges the interests and security of the bloc, Beijing has strongly opposed any attempt by the military alliance to expand its footprint into the Asia-Pacific region.
NATO issued a strongly worded communique during its two-day summit in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius on Tuesday, stating that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) challenges NATO’s interests, security, and values with its “ambitions and coercive policies”.
According to NATO heads of state, “The PRC employs a broad range of political, economic, and military tools to increase its global footprint and project power, while remaining opaque about its strategy, intentions, and military build-up.” They also accused China of engaging in malicious hybrid and cyber operations, confrontational rhetoric, and disinformation that target Allies and harm Alliance security.
The Chinese mission to Europe issued a statement on Tuesday, claiming that the China-related content of the communique disregarded basic facts, distorted China’s position and policies, and deliberately discredited China. “We firmly oppose and reject this,” the statement said.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, speaking at the summit, clarified that while China is not considered a NATO “adversary”, it is increasingly challenging the rules-based international order with its “coercive behavior”. He pointed out that China refuses to condemn Russia’s war against Ukraine, threatens Taiwan, and carries out a substantial military build-up.
However, NATO did not mention Taiwan in its communique.
Taiwan’s foreign ministry welcomed Stoltenberg’s expression of concern for security in the Taiwan Strait, stating that it was “very meaningful”. It emphasized that Taiwan is a responsible, democratic member of the Indo-Pacific region and is willing to work with like-minded partners such as Europe and the United States to combat coercion by and challenges from authoritarian regimes.
The summit also includes the participation of some Asia-Pacific leaders. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida aims to remind the military alliance of East Asia’s risks, while South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol seeks deeper international security cooperation amid rising North Korean threats and tensions with China.
The Chinese mission warned that it resolutely opposes NATO’s “eastward movement into the Asia-Pacific region” and that any action threatening Beijing’s rights would be met with a resolute response. “Any act that jeopardizes China’s legitimate rights and interests will be met with a resolute response,” the mission stated.
In the communique, NATO highlighted China’s efforts to control key technological and industrial sectors, critical infrastructure, strategic materials, and supply chains. It also accused China of using its economic leverage to create strategic dependencies and enhance its influence.
China’s state-run Xinhua news agency retaliated, stating in a report that the wars and conflicts involving NATO states suggest that the bloc is a “grave challenge” to global peace and stability. The report claimed that NATO is spreading its influence to the Asia-Pacific region with the aim of containing China.
Reporting by Liz Lee and Ryan Woo; Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Taipei; Editing by Michael Perry and Stephen Coates
Source: Reuters