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NATO leaders said on Wednesday that China is a “decisive supporter” of Russia’s war on Ukraine, as the defense alliance toughens its stance on Beijing which they say poses “systemic challenges” to their countries’ security. Is.
The joint declaration represents NATO’s sharpest voice yet on China’s role in the conflict that has emboldened the 75-year-old bloc, which holds the event annually at a three-day leaders’ summit in Washington hosted by US President Joe Biden. Celebrated. ,
The NATO leaders’ remarks noted that China’s “no borders” partnership with Russia and “massive support for Russia’s defense industrial base” are enabling Moscow to make its conflict pay, as they Prompted Beijing to “cease all material and political support for Russia”. war effort.”
In recent months the United States and ECU leaders have accused China of boosting Russia’s defense sector with exports of dual-use goods. Beijing has denied supplying the arms and says it helps maintain strict controls on such items.
NATO leaders elaborated on the issues of China’s growing actions and activities in the external region in greater detail than in the past, and reiterated their previous uneasiness about Beijing’s “malign cyber and hybrid activities”, including disinformation, and ” Nuclear arsenal is increasing rapidly.
“We are open to constructive engagement with the PRC, including by building mutual transparency with a view to safeguarding the alliance’s security interests,” the statement said, referring to China through the initials of its trusted name. .
“At the same time, we are enhancing our shared awareness, enhancing our resilience and preparedness, and protecting against the PRC’s coercive tactics and efforts to divide the alliance.”
Wednesday’s announcement from NATO leaders comes as the 32-member alliance — traditionally concerned about security in North America and Europe — has recently stepped up its engagement with U.S. allies in Asia and its own pocketbooks. has paid more and more attention to security, while member states have adopted misguided policies toward China.
For the third consecutive year, the leaders of New Zealand, Japan and South Korea attended the NATO leaders’ summit, in addition to Australia, in another sign of the close ties between the bloc and those countries.
Relations between China and Russia are getting stronger
Beijing has deepened political, economic and military ties with Moscow since President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping announced a “no borders” partnership in February 2022 – and what they said was the development of NATO – Their shared protest during the Russian leader’s return to the Chinese capital, just weeks before its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
China has overtaken the European Union to become Russia’s major industrial partner, providing the biggest lifeline to its economy, which has been heavily sanctioned in the wake of the invasion, while the two nuclear-armed neighbors have maintained joint military operations. The stockpile has continued. Workout.
Meanwhile, China has claimed neutrality in the conflict and wants to present itself as a potential distraction broker, while US and European leaders have become increasingly concerned about what they are saying to Beijing. To support Moscow through its economic and diplomatic means. Assistance in addition to the availability of dual-use items.
On Thursday, China criticized NATO’s remarks as “full of Cold War mentality and belligerent rhetoric” and said it was “provocative with obvious lies and slander.”
“China is not the creator of the Ukraine crisis. China’s position on Ukraine is open and liberal. Our goal is to promote peace talks and find a political solution,” the ECU union said in a statement from its undertaking.
The Chinese-language comment also reiterated Beijing’s position that it has never provided lethal guns in combat and has strict dual-use export controls, keeping its trade with Russia “normal.”
United States and ECU leaders have raised concerns in recent months that such exports are revitalizing Russia’s defense sector and allowing it to survive despite heavy global sanctions. The United States noted that dual-use exports have particularly enabled the manufacturing of tanks, munitions, and armored vehicles.
Both the US and the European Union have imposed sanctions on Chinese entities, accusing them of supporting the war.
The following Thursday, China’s Foreign Ministry also condemned the announcement, with a spokesperson calling NATO a “major threat” to the region and reiterating Beijing’s claim that the alliance was “fanning the flames” of war in Ukraine.
The announcement by NATO leaders is a fundamental step towards the recent soft stance on China.
NATO leaders discussed the need to collectively deal with the “opportunities and challenges” posed by China in a 2019 declaration, before turning to “systemic challenges” facing the country in 2021.
The shift comes amid a deepening dispute with Beijing over a larger US coverage center in the Indo-Pacific, as China under Xi has increased the number of competitors within the pocket and in its broader international coverage.
NATO’s focus on Asia has also intensified in the past two and a half years following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the Kremlin’s tightening of relations with not only China but also North Korea and Iran. ,
NATO leaders also said Wednesday that Pyongyang and Tehran were “provoking” Russia’s conflict through “direct military support,” and condemned North Korea’s export of “artillery shells and ballistic missiles” to Russia. – which some governments say they have monitored ever since. Last year, Putin hosted North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in the Russian Far East.
“The Indo-Pacific is vital for NATO, given that developments in that region directly impact Euro-Atlantic security,” the leaders said in their declaration.
It noted, “We are strengthening dialogue and enhancing our practical cooperation to address inter-regional challenges, including supporting Ukraine, cyber defence, countering disinformation and major projects in the areas of technology. Are included.”
Beijing is watching NATO’s growing engagement with alternative powers within the Asia-Pacific with caution. China is widely clear through witnesses that it is hoping to become the dominant power in the pocket and block US presence there, as Washington promotes its long-term Indo-Pacific security partnership and interests.
China and Russia have also been united over their shared opposition to NATO, part of both’s broader aspiration to reshape the global agenda, which they view as unfairly ruled by the US, and both over the invasion of Ukraine. To blame the Western security alliance for harassing Moscow. ,
In remarks Thursday, Beijing’s EU undertaking called on NATO to “correct its misconception about China” and “abandon the Cold War mentality and the zero-sum game.”
The commentary said, “The Asia-Pacific region is a space for peaceful development, not a wrestling ring for geopolitical competition… NATO must not become an obstacle to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific.”
This story has been updated with additional knowledge.