Stoltenberg: “Russia-China rapprochement is a threat to Europe”

The Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, warned thatThe growing Russia-China relationship is a threat not only for Asia but also for Europe.

In a speech at Keio University in Tokyo, the NATO chief argued that China is increasingly investing in nuclear weapons and long-range missiles without providing transparency or engaging in meaningful arms control dialogue on atomic weapons. At the same time, he pointed out that Beijing continues to escalate its threats against Taiwan.

“The fact that Russia and China are getting closer as well as China’s significant investments and new advanced military capabilities only underline that China is a threat, a challenge to NATO allies as well. Security is not regional but global,” Stoltenberg said.

China is increasingly cooperating with Russia and both countries are leading an “authoritarian pushback” against the rules-based, open and democratic international order, the NATO secretary general continued.

He insisted that NATO does not see Beijing as an adversary nor does it want to come into confrontation with it, and that the alliance will continue to cooperate with China in areas of common interest, such as climate change.

From his side the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Mao Ning, he said Beijing is “a force for regional and global peace and stability” and criticized NATO for labeling China as a threat as well as for expanding its military ties in Asia.

“NATO has continuously sought to reach beyond its traditional defense zone and scope, strengthen military and security ties with Asia Pacific countries, and play down China’s threats. I would like to emphasize that the Asia-Pacific is not a battlefield for geopolitical confrontation and does not welcome the Cold War mentality,” Mao Ning emphasized.

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