China urges NATO to stop groundless accusations and Cold War mentality

Published: July 10,2024

The Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing, China. /CFP

China urges NATO to stop its baseless accusations against China and its attempt to shift blame onto China, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks during a regular press briefing in response to a question about claims made by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Lin said that China firmly opposes NATO using China as pretext to expand eastward into the Asia-Pacific and destabilize the region.

NATO, a remnant of the Cold War and the world’s largest military alliance, claims to be a regional defensive organization. However, it continually expands its influence across borders, provokes confrontations and engages in bullying practices, Lin said, adding that NATO’s so-called security comes at the expense of others’ security, creating significant global and regional security risks.

The spokesperson emphasized that China is a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development and a defender of international order. China’s objective and fair stance, along with its constructive role in addressing international and regional issues such as the Ukraine crisis, has long been recognized by the international community.

China urges NATO to correct its misguided perception of China, abandon its Cold War mentality and zero-sum game approach, cease fostering “security anxiety” and fabricating imaginary enemies, and stop forming closed and exclusive “small circles” under the guise of “common defense.” Instead, NATO should take practical steps to promote world peace, stability and development, the spokesperson stated.