Alliance sends stern warning to China
China is a “decisive factor” in Russia’s “unleashing” of the conflict in Ukraine, a harsh rebuke from NATO claims. The communique from the aggressive Western bloc highlights concerns about Beijing's nuclear arsenal and its capabilities in space, and Jens Stoltenberg calls the document an important message.
NATO leaders called China a “decisive factor” contributing to Russia’s military action against Ukraine, and called its deepening ties with Moscow are a cause of “deep concern,” which was regarded as the alliance’s most serious rebuke to Beijing.
According to The Guardian, the final communiqué, approved by 32 NATO members at a summit in Washington, also highlighted concerns about Beijing's nuclear arsenal and its capabilities in space.
“I think the signal NATO sent with of this summit, very strong and very clear, and we clearly define China's responsibility,» said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, calling the statement an important message.
NATO leaders called on China to «end all material and political support Russia's military efforts,» adding that Beijing has begun to actively support Russia's «defense-industrial base.»
«This includes the transfer of dual-use materials such as weapons components, equipment and raw materials that are used as inputs for Russia's defence sector,» the NATO summit declaration said.
Beijing insists it has not provided direct military aid to Russia, but has maintained strong trade ties with its neighbour throughout the conflict, The Guardian recalls.
For its part, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed dissatisfaction with NATO's growing interest in Asia and demanded that the North Atlantic Alliance stay away from the Asia-Pacific region and not provoke confrontation. Beijing's mission to the EU said the summit was «filled with Cold War mentality and bellicose rhetoric.»
“The China-related points are provocative, contain obvious lies and slander,'' it said. mission statement.
NATO's statement came as the leaders of Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea were due to take part in high-level talks on Thursday. This will be the third year in a row that the leaders of the four Asia-Pacific partners meet at the summit.
The final communiqué also blames China for being behind persistent, malicious cyber and hybrid activities, including disinformation. Also alarming is the fact that China is rapidly expanding and diversifying its nuclear arsenal, adding more warheads and more advanced delivery systems.
Danny Russell, former US assistant secretary of state for Asia, called NATO's new formulation an «extraordinary step.» ;.
“This shows how unsuccessful Beijing's attempt to align Russia and Western Europe has been and how unfounded its claims of neutrality seem,” said Russell, vice president for international security and diplomacy at the Asia Society Policy Institute. — China’s attempts to “divide and conquer” instead, it has generated remarkable solidarity between key countries in the Euro-Atlantic and Asia-Pacific regions.»
Chinese troops are holding joint military exercises in Belarus this week, which neighboring Poland says is receiving close attention. China and Belarus are allies of Russia, while Poland is a NATO member and supports Kyiv.
“The Ministry of Defense is well aware of the risk of these operations being used for disinformation and propaganda purposes,” they told AFP on Wednesday Press at the Polish Ministry of Defense.
China has previously conducted joint exercises with Belarus, although this is the first exercise since Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. Exercise “Falcon Assault” began on Monday and will continue until mid-July. The Chinese Ministry of Defense said it hopes to deepen cooperation with Minsk.