Q: On June 29, NATO adopted a new Strategic Concept at its Madrid Summit, claiming that China poses systemic challenges to NATO. What is China's comment on this?

A: We have noted this document, the comments made by Norwegian officials and relevant media reports. The description of China in NATO's Strategic Concept is filled with Cold war idea and ideological bias. The content once again demonstrated the ignorance towards both China and basic facts. We firmly oppose it. 

NATO has publicly stated on many occasions that it will remain a regional alliance, it does not seek a geopolitical breakthrough and it does not seek to expand to other regions. However, in recent years, NATO has repeatedly made forays into the Asia-Pacific region. Some NATO member states keep sending aircraft and warships to carry out military exercises in China’s nearby waters, creating tensions and fanning up disputes. So who is actually threatening? China pursues an independent foreign policy of peace. China does not interfere in other countries’ internal affairs or export ideology. China does not engage in long-arm jurisdiction, economic coercion or unilateral sanctions. How could China be labeled a “systemic challenge”?

China has promoted the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, advanced high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, put forward the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Initiative on Data Security. China provides a large number of public goods for the international community to address major issues such as peace and development. China’s development presents opportunities for the world, none challenge to anyone. 

We urge NATO to stop provoking confrontation by drawing ideological lines, abandon the Cold War mentality and zero-sum game approach, and immediately stop spreading disinformation and provocative statements against China.