In a first, NATO lays out ‘challenges’ from China

‘Russia most significant threat to allies’

NATO on Wednesday, for the first time in its guiding blueprint, said China’s might challenges the alliance and Beijing’s closer ties to Moscow went against Western interests.

“The People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) stated ambitions and coercive policies challenge our interests, security and values,” NATO’s strategic concept published at a summit in Madrid said.

NATO accused China of targeting NATO members with its “malicious hybrid and cyber operations and its confrontational rhetoric”.

NATO’s guiding document — updated for the first time since 2010 — said Russia was the “most significant and direct threat to allies’ security” after its invasion of Ukraine.

Ahead of the unveiling of NATO’s new strategy, Beijing already pushed back against the alliance for increasing its attention on Asia. “In recent years, NATO has been pushing for expanding its area and field, advocating group confrontation,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said.