NATO will not disrupt flow of China-Russia trade ties: Official
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A Chinese official responds to NATO's recent statement accusing Beijing of aiding Russia's war efforts.
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President Joe Biden and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg watch a fly-over as they welcome NATO allies and partners to the White House in Washington, on July 10, 2024. (AP)
NATO has titled China a "decisive enabler" of Russia's continued operations in Ukraine, lambasting Beijing for its partnership with Moscow, a declaration of NATO leaders at their summit in Washington claimed.
The United States administration and NATO officials have increasingly criticized China for its ties with Russia, however, the declaration has escalated the Western military alliance's tone against Beijing.
NATO leaders complained about China's "large-scale support for Russia's defense industrial base," calling on the country "to cease all material and political support to Russia's war effort."
In particular, NATO is eying the supported transfer of dual-use materials, an umbrella term for any goods or equipment that could be used for both civilian and military purposes. NATO's declaration threatened that Beijing cannot "enable" Russian military operations "without this negatively impacting its interests and reputation."
The statement was also released at a crucial time, ahead of the arrival of leaders of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea, all of which have engaged in contentious relations with China.
A main corroborator of drawing close attention to supposed threats posed by China has been the United States, which has pushed the Western military alliance to take a firmer stance against Beijing for years.
"I think the message sent from NATO from this summit is very strong and very clear, and we are clearly defining China's responsibility when it comes to enabling Russia's war," NATO's outgoing Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said.
Read more: Blinken warns NATO allies of 'concerning' China-Russia cooperation: FT
China warns NATO against provocations
On the other hand, a spokesperson for China's mission to the European Union has warned against NATO's provocations of confrontation with China over its ties with neighboring Russia.
"It is known to all that China is not the creator (of) the Ukraine crisis. China's position on Ukraine is open and aboveboard," they stressed.
"The China-related paragraphs are provocative with obvious lies and smears. We firmly reject and deplore these accusations and have lodged serious representations with NATO," the spokesperson explained.
Moreover, the official reiterated China's firm position of promoting peace talks between the two sides to ensure a political settlement to the crisis.
The official highlighted Beijing's policy of not arming both sides of the conflict, underlining that its trade with Russia will not be subject to NATO's coercion.
"Instead of scapegoating others, NATO should reflect on itself, take real actions to defuse the situation, and solve the problem," the official said.
As for the Asia-Pacific region, the official said that the area is "a place for peaceful development, not a wrestling ground for geopolitical completion."
They warned against NATO's continued interlinking of European security to security issues in Asia-Pacific, questioning the motives behind the ongoing developments.
"NATO should stop hyping up the so-called China threat and provoking confrontation and rivalry, and do more to contribute to world peace and stability," the statement concluded.
Read more: Most Global South understands threat posed by NATO: Lavrov
