Beijing lashed back at NATO\u2019s accusation that China challenges the bloc\u2019s interests and security, and opposed any attempt by the military alliance to expand its footprint into the Asia-Pacific region. In a strongly worded communique issued midway into a two-day summit in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius on Tuesday, NATO said the People\u2019s Republic of China (PRC) challenged its interests, security and values with its \u201cambitions and coercive policies\u201d. \u201cThe PRC employs a broad range of political, economic, and military tools to increase its global footprint and project power, while remaining opaque about its strategy, intentions and military build-up,\u201d NATO heads of state said in their communique. \u201cThe PRC\u2019s malicious hybrid and cyber operations and its confrontational rhetoric and disinformation target Allies and harm Alliance security.\u201d The Chinese mission to the European said in a statement on Tuesday the China-related content of the communique disregarded basic facts, distorted China\u2019s position and policies, and deliberately discredited China. \u201cWe firmly oppose and reject this,\u201d it said. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters at the summit that while China was not a NATO \u201cadversary\u201d, it was increasingly challenging the rules-based international order with its \u201ccoercive behaviour.\u201d \u201cChina is increasingly challenging the rules-based international order, refusing to condemn Russia\u2019s war against Ukraine, threatening Taiwan, and carrying out a substantial military build-up,\u201d he said. However, NATO made no mention of Taiwan in its communique. \u2018Spreading its tentacles\u2019 Attendance at the two-day summit also includes some Asia-Pacific leaders. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, joining for a second time, aimed to remind the military alliance to pay heed to East Asia risks, while South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol sought deeper international security cooperation amid rising North Korean threats and tension over China. In May, Kishida said Japan had no plans to become a NATO member, even though NATO was planning a Tokyo office, its first in Asia, to facilitate consultations in the region. The Chinese mission said China resolutely opposed NATO\u2019s \u201ceastward movement into the Asia-Pacific region\u201d and warned any action threatening Beijing\u2019s rights would be met with a resolute response. \u201cAny act that jeopardises China\u2019s legitimate rights and interests will be met with a resolute response,\u201d it said. In the communique, NATO said China sought to control key technological and industrial sectors, critical infrastructure, and strategic materials and supply chains, and that Beijing also used its economic leverage to create strategic dependencies and enhance its influence. China\u2019s state-run news agency hit back, saying in a report that the wars and conflicts involving NATO states suggest the bloc is a \u201cgrave challenge\u201d to global peace and stability. \u201cDespite all the chaos and conflict already inflicted, NATO is spreading its tentacles to the Asia-Pacific region with an express aim of containing China.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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