Beijing (TDI): China on Thursday criticized NATO for inflating regional tensions and misrepresenting Beijing’s military intentions in order to justify expanding its influence and increasing defense budgets.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks in response to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who on Wednesday said it was “really important” for NATO to spend more on defense citing, among other reasons, China’s growing military capabilities.
Guo dismissed the statement as “manipulative,” accusing NATO of using China as a scapegoat to push for a sharp rise in military spending and to further its expansion beyond Europe.
“In 2024 alone, NATO members accounted for 55% of global military spending,” Guo pointed out. “Yet they continue to pressure member states to raise defense budgets to 5% of GDP and advocate for a more lethal NATO. What is the real agenda here?”
He criticized NATO’s growing involvement in the Asia-Pacific, which he said violates the bloc’s original geographic limits under its founding treaty. “Although NATO claims to be a regional alliance, it is now reaching far beyond its borders under the guise of Euro-Asian security linkages,” Guo added. “The international community sees this clearly, and countries in our region remain highly alert.”
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On the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Guo reiterated China’s stance, saying Beijing has consistently promoted dialogue and a peaceful resolution. “China has not provided weapons to any side in the conflict and enforces strict controls on dual-use exports,” he said, rejecting claims of Chinese support to Russia as baseless.
“NATO’s false narratives will not fool the world,” Guo said, adding that if the alliance genuinely cared about European and global security, it would stop inciting confrontation and stoking divisions.
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Describing China as a “builder of peace and stability,” he said the country has a strong record of promoting international cooperation and defending the global order. “We urge NATO to abandon its Cold War mentality and zero-sum thinking. It’s time for a serious reassessment of its approach to China.”
Guo concluded by reaffirming China’s resolve to protect its sovereignty, security, and development interests, and to continue contributing to international peace through “concrete action.”
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
