China tells NATO to stop exaggerating ‘China threat theory’

China has urged NATO to stop exaggerating what it called the “China threat theory” after the 30-nation transatlantic security alliance pledged to counter the “systemic challenges” posed by Beijing’s policies.

China’s response on Tuesday came a day after NATO leaders met in Brussels and issued a communique criticising Beijing’s nuclear arsenal as well as its space and cyberwarfare capabilities.

“China’s stated ambitions and assertive behaviour present systemic challenges to the rules-based international order and to areas relevant to alliance security,” the communique said.

NATO’s forceful stance on China marked a diplomatic victory for US President Joe Biden, who had urged his fellow leaders to stand up to China’s absolute rule and growing military might – a fundamental change of focus for an alliance created to defend Europe from the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

In an angry response, the Chinese mission to the European Union called for NATO to “view China’s development rationally, stop exaggerating various forms of ‘China threat theory’ and not to use China’s legitimate interests and legal rights as excuses for manipulating group politics (while) artificially creating confrontations”.

NATO’s accusations “slandered” China’s peaceful development, misjudged the international situation, and represented a “continuation of the Cold War mentality”, the statement added.

Runner Media/MJ