NATO issued a "totally pointless" warning on Thursday, according to Beijing, in which the organization claimed for the first time in a strategic plan that China's power poses a threat to the military alliance. The answer came after Beijing's stated objectives and coercive actions were deemed a threat to NATO's interests, security, and values in the strategic concept that was released at a meeting in Madrid.
NATO also asserted that China's increasing relations to Russia were counter to Western interests, a claim that sparked a furious retort from Beijing.
"The so-called new NATO strategic concept document ignores reality and muddles black and white... Zhao Lijian, a spokeswoman for the foreign ministry, said during a routine briefing on Thursday that it "smears China's foreign policy"
China "firmly opposes it," he continued.
Zhao told reporters, "We would like to caution NATO that exaggerating the alleged China threat is utterly pointless.
Despite opposition from some countries to divert attention from its focus on Europe, the alliance's dominant member, the United States, has pushed for the alliance to devote more attention to China.
Beijing has refrained from criticizing its friend Russia over the invasion of Ukraine, and as part of a "no limits" relationship, the two nations have grown closer in the political, trade, and military realms.
China will support Russian "sovereignty and security," Chinese President Xi Jinping assured his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin last month.
Beijing has additionally been charged of supporting Russia diplomatically by denouncing Western sanctions and weaponry transfers to Kiev.
Leaders from regional allies Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand also attended a NATO summit for the first time, signaling increased worry about China.
