China: "US Capabilities Are Not What They Used to Be"

Chinese Media Reacts to NATO as a Barometer of 'China Suppression'
China to Further Strengthen Cooperation with Europe

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Chinese media have argued that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) could adjust its functions to become an organization for 'suppressing China.' As the United States and NATO define China as a 'structural challenge,' NATO may introduce a new strategic concept that integrates Russia and China.

China's state-run Global Times cited experts, reporting on the 15th that the adjustment of NATO's functions, a collective security system of 30 countries from the US and Europe, will become a barometer for future suppression of China and Russia.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The media reported that the US and NATO, through a joint statement, criticized China by mentioning China's nuclear weapons expansion and military cooperation between China and Russia.

Lu Xiang, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, pointed out, "NATO could be used as a stage for the US to check China," adding, "NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's remarks represent the US's outdated anti-China voice."

Secretary General Stoltenberg said ahead of the NATO summit, "We will not engage in a new Cold War with China, and China is not an enemy," but also stated, "As an alliance, we need to collectively address the challenges posed to our security by China's rise."

Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, pointed out, "The US's quasi-multilateralism to check China and Russia was fully demonstrated at the G7 and NATO summits." Some G7 and NATO member countries have independent interests regarding China, unlike the US.

In fact, some European leaders emphasized a cautious approach to the China issue. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, "Relations with China involve both risks and rewards," adding, "I don't think anyone wants to go into a new Cold War with China."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel also stated, "China's military rise is a problem, but we must call for a balanced approach and keep the door open for dialogue."

Professor Lu emphasized, "There are European countries that have different views from the US regarding China," adding, "Europe is observing the US from the same perspective as China." This implies that the US's capabilities are not what they used to be and warned that a constitutional crisis similar to last year could recur in the US.

The Global Times argued that Europe will not be subordinated to the US just to get a small piece of the cake, and China should further expand its cooperative relationship with Europe.