Beijing angered by NATO eastward movement into Asia Pacific

Beijing, July 18 (RHC)-- China has categorically opposed NATO's eastward movement into the Asia Pacific region, warning it will give a resolute response to any threat to its legitimate rights.  The warning came in a statement issued by China's mission to the European Union, following a NATO summit in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, where the U.S.-led Western military alliance lashed out at Beijing.

The block accused the People's Republic of China of challenging the Alliance's interests, security and values.  China totally taunts NATO’s threat of intrusion into the Asia-Pacific region, vowing a firm response against any peril to its legitimate rights.  The PRC employs a broad range of political, economic, and military tools to increase its global footprint and project power while remaining opaque about its strategy, intentions, and military buildup.

The Chinese mission rejected NATO’s alleged concerns over what it had described as China's “ambitions and coercive policies” pointing out that the NATO communiqué disregards basic facts, distorts China's positions and policies, and, deliberately discredits China.

The mission declared Beijing would firmly safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests. It further accused NATO of ignoring basic facts, deliberately distorting Beijing's policies, and, smearing China.

"We urge NATO to stop its groundless accusations and provocative rhetoric against China, abandon the outdated concept of the cold war mentality, abandon the misguided practice of seeking absolute security, don't mess up Europe and then try to mess up the Asia Pacific region and the world."

The NATO declaration also said China and Russia were involved in a “deepening strategic partnership” and that the two countries were involved in "mutually reinforcing attempts to undercut the rules based international order."

Beijing has warned against the establishment of an Asia Pacific version of NATO and made clear its opposition to any foreign military involvement in the region.

China-Russian relations are based on the principles of non alignment, non confrontation and not directed against third parties.  The relations between the two countries transcend the model of military and political alliances during the Cold War and set up a paradigm for relations between great powers.