Nato vs China: ‘blame-shifters’ take aim at a ‘decisive enabler’ on Russia’s war in Ukraine

Nato did not hold back on his criticism of China when the military bloc marked its 75th anniversary in Washington this week.

In what Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg said was the “strongest message” the alliance had sent to China over its “contributions” to Russia’s war in Ukraine, Nato said China had become a “decisive enabler” of the conflict through its “no limits” partnership and its large-scale support for Russia’s defence industrial base.

“The deepening strategic partnership between Russia and [China] and their mutually reinforcing attempts to undercut and reshape the rules-based international order, are a cause for profound concern,” the 32 members said in a joint statement.

It also said China posed systemic challenges to Euro-Atlantic security, particularly through “sustained malicious cyber and hybrid activities”.

“Authoritarian leaders” in China, Iran, and North Korea “all [support] Russia’s brutal war”, Stoltenberg told attendees at the formal celebrations on Tuesday.

And China’s alleged backing for Russia would “impact [its] interests”, he said.

That message was underscored by US national security adviser Jake Sullivan, who warned the named adversaries that “we’re watching carefully … what impact that has on the security of the Indo-Pacific and other parts of the world”.

Among the watchers are Nato’s Indo-Pacific partners Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, each of whom must balance their security concerns with their strong trade ties with China. Australia, for example, has spent two years trying to repair relations with its largest trade partner, efforts that resulted in a visit by Chinese Premier Li Qiang last month.

Czech President Petr Pavel was just as emphatic, urging fellow members to support Washington “in their competition with China in all areas around the globe”.

China’s “geopolitical hand” could be strengthened by a Russian victory, leading to a “more assertive and aggressive” posture, Pavel said.

Amid the accusations, Beijing has maintained that it has not supplied weapons to Russia and has strictly controlled the export of dual-use equipment that could be repurposed for the conflict.

Before the celebrations got under way, China said Nato’s approach amounted to “vilification” and “blame-shifting”, and said its critics should “get rid of [their] cold war mentality and zero-sum approach”, “stop scaremongering on security and making imaginary enemies” and “stop forming exclusive clubs in the name of collective defence”.

“Nato’s so-called security is more often than not built on others’ insecurity, and what it does puts the world and regions at high security risk,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Tuesday.

“We urge Nato to form the right perception of China … and play a constructive role for global peace, stability and development,” Lin said.