NATO Heads of State pose with US President Joe Biden and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on the South Lawn of the White House before the State Dinner in celebration of NATO’s 75th anniversary summit in Washington, DC, on July 10, 2024. | Photo credit: AFP
NATO has expressed deep concern over China’s deepening ties with Russia and accused Beijing of being the “decisive driver” of Russia’s war against Ukraine through its so-called “unrestricted” partnership with the country.
The leader of the 32-member North Atlantic Treaty Organization said this in a statement after a meeting in Washington to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the North Atlantic Council.
“The People’s Republic of China (PRC) expressed its ambitions and coercive policies that continue to challenge our interests, security and values. The deepening strategic partnership between Russia and the PRC and their mutually reinforcing efforts to undermine and reshape the rules-based international order is a cause for great concern. ,” said the Washington Summit Declaration.
“We face hybrid, cyber, space and other threats and malicious activities from state and non-state actors,” he said.
“The PRC has become an important supporter of Russia’s war against Ukraine through the so-called “unlimited” partnership and large-scale support for Russia’s defense industrial base. This increases Russia’s threat to its neighbors and Euro-Atlantic security. , “he said.
NATO leaders called on China, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council with specific responsibilities to uphold the goals and principles of the UN Charter, to end all material and political support for Russia’s war effort.
“This includes the transfer of dual-use materials, such as weapons components, equipment, and raw materials that are inputs to the Russian defense sector. The PRC cannot activate the biggest war in Europe in recent history without this affecting its interests and reputation. , “said the declaration that issued by the heads of state and government participating in the meeting when welcoming Sweden as the 32nd member state.
The historic accession of Finland and Sweden made them safer and the alliance stronger, including in the High North and the Baltic Sea, he said.
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has undermined peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic region and seriously undermined global security, the declaration said, adding that Russia remains the most important and direct threat to the security of allies.
“Terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, is the most direct asymmetric threat to the security of our citizens and to international peace and prosperity. The threats we face are global and interconnected,” he said.
China continues to present a systemic challenge to Euro-Atlantic security, the declaration said.
“We have seen continued malicious cyber and hybrid activities, including disinformation, originating from the PRC. We call on the PRC to uphold its commitment to act responsibly in cyberspace,” he said.
The statement also expressed concern about the development of China’s space capabilities and activities.
“We call on the PRC to support international efforts to promote responsible space behavior. The PRC continues to rapidly expand and diversify its nuclear arsenal with more warheads and more sophisticated delivery systems. We urge the PRC to engage in strategic risk reduction discussions. and promote stability through transparency,” he said.
The leader said he remains open to constructive engagement with China, including to build mutual transparency with the aim of safeguarding the alliance’s security interests.
“At the same time, we are increasing our collective awareness, increasing our resilience and readiness, and protecting against the PRC’s coercive tactics and efforts to divide the Alliance,” the declaration said.
At the 75th anniversary summit, NATO took steps to strengthen deterrence and defense, bolster long-term support for Ukraine in order to win the war for independence, and deepen NATO partnership.
“We warmly welcome President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy of Ukraine and the leaders of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea and the European Union,” he said in a statement.
Earlier today, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance would strengthen its partnership in the Indo-Pacific to counter the growing alignment of Russia, China, Iran and North Korea.
“We will increase our support for Ukraine by making NATO coordination and security assistance and training for Ukraine, and by guaranteeing constant support for the long term. Support for Ukraine is not charity. It is in the interests of our own security,” he said.
