China Denounces NATO's Expansionist Policies Amid Rising Tensions

On Thursday, the Chinese government issued a strong denunciation of NATO, claiming that the alliance is leveraging the situation in Beijing to justify its expansion into the Asia-Pacific region. Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang expressed his concerns during a regular briefing, in light of remarks made by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte regarding China's support for Russia in the Ukraine crisis and the country's military growth.

Zhang dismissed Rutte's allegations, insisting that China's military advancements are solely intended to protect national sovereignty and development interests. He emphasized that China's cooperation with Russia does not aim to challenge any third parties and should not be interfered with by outside forces.

Criticizing NATO's involvement in international conflicts, Zhang highlighted the alliance's history of generating unrest across various regions. He labeled NATO as an anachronism from the Cold War period, describing it as the largest military bloc globally that often initiates strife.

In his earlier statements, Rutte had pointed out the concerns of Asia-Pacific nations like Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand regarding China's considerable military buildup. Notably, leaders from these countries had planned to attend the NATO summit but later canceled their participation, casting doubt on the alliance's influence in the region.

Zhang further claimed that NATO has expanded its operations beyond the confines of its original treaty, and this overreach has caused unease in the Asia-Pacific. He called for the alliance to reconsider its strategies, suggesting that it should not use China as a pretext for its expansion and instead focus on enhancing global security and stability.