China says if NATO comes to the South China Sea, we can also go to the Mediterranean Sea

Chinese Defense Minister Visits Hungary and Three Other European Countries Targeting NATO for Military Cooperation
Chinese Foreign Minister Visits Turkey to Discuss Expanding Turkish Imports and Currency Swap

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Amid escalating tensions between China and the European Union (EU) over human rights issues in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China's Minister of National Defense has embarked on a visit to four European countries.

According to Chinese media including the People's Daily and Global Times on the 26th, Wei Fenghe, China's Minister of National Defense, departed on the 24th to visit Hungary, Serbia, Greece, and North Macedonia.

On the 24th (local time), Minister Wei met with J?nos ?der, President of Hungary, in Budapest, stating, "China regards Hungary as a good brother and partner, and China will deepen sectoral cooperation with Hungary."

(Photo by Chinese Ministry of National Defense website)

Minister Wei explained the development status of the Xinjiang region to President ?der, emphasizing, "The United States and the West are lying, and China firmly opposes the unilateral sanctions imposed by the EU, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and others on China under the pretext of Xinjiang human rights issues."

He expressed gratitude for Hungary's firm support of China's core interests and said that the military cooperation relationship between the two countries would be elevated to a higher level.

In response, President ?der expressed appreciation for China's COVID-19 vaccine support and hoped for the development of a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Regarding the Chinese Minister of National Defense's visit to the four European countries, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense explained the background of the visit as "strengthening defense cooperation with traditional friendly countries and promoting stable development."

The Global Times, citing experts, speculated that this visit by the Minister of National Defense to the four European countries might be related to NATO member countries' plans in the South China Sea.

Chui Hongjian, Director of the European Studies Institute at the China Institute of International Studies, said, "Some NATO member countries such as France, Germany, and the United Kingdom plan to deploy warships to the South China Sea to participate in the United States' freedom of navigation operations," adding, "Minister Wei's visit to the four European countries will discuss military exchanges based on bilateral relations." He further stated, "There are many areas for cooperation, including nuclear non-proliferation, advanced military technology exchanges such as drones and artificial intelligence (AI), and joint military exercises."

Chui also added, "If NATO member countries come to the South China Sea, we can also go to the Mediterranean."

Meanwhile, Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, who is visiting the Middle East including Saudi Arabia, visited Turkey on the 25th (local time) and held talks with Mevl?t ?avu?o?lu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.

During the meeting, Minister Wang evaluated that the strategic cooperative relationship between China and Turkey has made great progress and requested continued understanding and support for China's core interests and major concerns.

He said, "China hopes that Turkey supports multilateralism, opposes unilateralism, and upholds the international legal order centered on the United Nations (UN)," promising, "China will engage in all-round cooperation through expanding imports of Turkish products and currency swaps."