During their summit in Washington, NATO allies issued a strong message against China, labeling it a “decisive enabler” of Russia’s actions in the Ukraine conflict. The final communiqué approved by all 32 NATO members highlighted concerns regarding China’s nuclear arsenal and space capabilities, solidifying the shifting focus of the military alliance towards China. The alliance of European and North American members, along with their Indo-Pacific partners, increasingly view Russia and its allies, including China, as shared security threats.
Despite China’s denial of supporting Russia’s military actions, NATO members asserted in the communiqué that China plays a significant role in enabling Russia through their close partnership and substantial support to Russia’s defense industry. The document called on China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, to halt all forms of assistance to Russia’s war efforts in line with the UN Charter principles.
In response to NATO’s growing involvement in Asian affairs, China expressed disapproval, urging the alliance to refrain from interfering in the Asia-Pacific region and provoking conflict. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian emphasized China’s commitment to global peace, development, and international order. Partners like Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea attended the NATO summit in Washington, signifying their close ties with the alliance.
The inclusion of China in NATO’s concerns marks a significant development, according to Danny Russel, a former US official and current vice president at the Asia Society Policy Institute. NATO’s warning about China posing systemic challenges to European security showcases a notable consolidation of solidarity between Euro-Atlantic and Asia-Pacific nations against Beijing’s strategic maneuvers.
As NATO commemorates its 75th anniversary in Washington, President Joe Biden highlighted the importance of not lagging behind Russia’s military advancements, supported by China, North Korea, and Iran. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized the alliance’s commitment to strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region, underscoring the evolving security dynamics impacting both European and Asian nations.