Nato says China challenge to its interests, values

The People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) stated ambitions and coercive policies challenge our interests, security and values. NATO’S STRATEGIC CONCEPT

WASHINGTON: The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) on Wednesday for the first time in its history recognised China’s “stated ambitions and coercive policies” as a threat to the alliance’s interests, security and values in a sign of the rapid shift in European geopolitical attitudes.

“The People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) stated ambitions and coercive policies challenge our interests, security and values. The 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,” said Nato’s strategic concept published at a summit in Madrid that saw the participation of Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Korea.

‘Allies will work together to address systemic challenges’

While remaining open to engaging with China, Nato also said that all allies will work together to address the “systemic challenges” posed by China to Euro-atlantic security, boost shared awareness, enhance resilience and preparedness, and protect against China’s “coercive tactics and efforts to divide the alliance”.

The much-anticipated strategic concept, the first since 2010, comes at a time when the western military alliance has a renewed sense of purpose in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Long dismissed as a relic of the Cold War, and torn by divisions between the US and Europe in recent years, Nato, under President Joe Biden’s presidency, has assumed a central role in supporting Ukraine and building a united front against Russian aggression.

In the process, the gap between the US and Europe on China - accused repeatedly of supporting Moscow - has also been partially bridged.

Nato should give up cold war mentality: China

In response, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian on Wednesday said Nato should “give up the cold war mentality, zero-sum game and the practice of creating enemies, and not to try to mess up Asia and the whole world after disrupting Europe”.