NATO leaders have drawn the ire of Beijing with a communique released during their summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, portraying China as a significant challenge to the alliance's interests and security, Al Jazeera reports.
The strongly-worded statement accuses the People's Republic of China (PRC) of employing various political, economic, and military tools to expand its global influence and power while maintaining opacity regarding its strategy, intentions, and military buildup. The declaration also highlights China's malicious hybrid and cyber operations, confrontational rhetoric, and dissemination of disinformation, which NATO claims harm the alliance's security.
Furthermore, the communique suggests that China and Russia are deepening their strategic partnership to undermine the rules-based international order. NATO leaders called on China to play a constructive role as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and to condemn Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
The Chinese mission to the European Union condemned NATO's comments, accusing the alliance of distorting China's position and intentionally attempting to discredit the country. The summit, attended by leaders from various countries including Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea, addressed rising tensions in the region, with concerns ranging from China to North Korea's recent missile test.
The Chinese government and state media expressed strong opposition to NATO's involvement in the Asia-Pacific region, warning of resolute responses to any acts jeopardizing China's rights and interests. This latest NATO declaration builds upon the alliance's previous Strategic Concept, which recognized the risks posed by China's ambitions and policies, emphasizing the significance of the Asia-Pacific region for Euro-Atlantic security.
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