BEIJING (AP) — China on Thursday accused NATO of seeking security at the expense of others and urged the alliance not to bring the same “chaos” to Asia.
The statement by a Foreign Ministry spokesman came a day after NATO labels China a “decisive facilitator” of Russia’s War Against Ukraine.
“NATO’s exaggeration of China’s responsibility in the Ukrainian issue is unreasonable and has sinister motives,” spokesperson Lin Jian said at a daily press briefing. He said China’s position on the Ukrainian issue is fair and objective.
China has broken with the United States and its European allies over the war in Ukraine, refusing to condemn the Russian invasion. Its trade with Russia has increased since the invasion, at least partly offsetting the impact of Western sanctions.
NATO, in a statement released at a summit in Washington, said China had become a facilitator of the war through its “Unlimited partnership” with Russia and its large-scale support for Russia’s defense industrial base.
Lin said trade between China and Russia is legitimate and reasonable and based on the rules of the World Trade Organization.
He said NATO’s “so-called security” comes at the expense of the security of other countries. China supported Russia’s claim that NATO’s expansion poses a threat to Russia.
China has expressed concern about NATO’s nascent relations with countries in the region. Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea sent their leaders or deputies to the NATO summit this week.
“China urges NATO to… stop interfering in China’s domestic politics and tarnishing China’s image, and not to create chaos in the Asia-Pacific region after creating turmoil in Europe,” Lin said.
Chinese troops are in Belarus this week to articulation exercises near the border with NATO member Poland. The exercises are the first ever to be held with Belarus, a Russian ally.
Lin described the joint training as a normal military exchange and cooperation that does not target any particular country.
