China on Wednesday slammed NATO for attempting to expand its geopolitical reach after Japanese PM Fumio Kishida acknowledged the bloc’s decision to open a liaison office in Japan.
Chinese Comments
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said during a regular press conference on Wednesday that “NATO claims to be a regional organisation and should not extend its geopolitical reach.”
“The Asia-Pacific does not welcome bloc confrontation or military blocs. Given Japan’s history of aggression, it needs to be prudent on military and security issues and make sure its actions are conducive to regional peace and stability,” she added.
Japan-NATO Relations
China’s rebuke comes after Kishida said on Wednesday his country had no plans to become a member of the Western security alliance. However, Kishida acknowledged the alliance’s plan to open a liaison office in Japan.
Glad to welcome Ukraine, Iceland, Japan and Ireland as the newest NATO @ccdcoe members on the cyber centre's 15th anniversary.
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) May 16, 2023
Their know-how – including #Ukraine's expertise in countering Russian cyberattacks – will add a great deal to #NATO’s knowledge hub on cyber defence. pic.twitter.com/lrMtvJmACX
Moreover, it has been reported that Kishida is planning on attending a NATO summit scheduled in Lithuania for July, as the Asian country’s ties with the West have deepened amid global security concerns.
In addition, the PM is expected to meet with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and further discuss the grouping’s plan to open a liaison office in Tokyo.
The two leaders are expected to discuss details of a new Japan-NATO security cooperation document, called the Individually Tailored Partnership Program, which will allow them to closely coordinate with each other in the fields of space and disinformation response.
Last year, Kishida became the first Japanese PM to attend a NATO summit, as the global security environment deteriorated in the face of Russia’s war against Ukraine, and China’s growing military power and assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific region.