China's Nuclear Warheads 20 Times NATO's... Warning Against Exaggerating China Threat (Comprehensive)

Chinese Media Opposes NATO Summit's 'Structural Challenge'... NATO as a Barometer of 'China Suppression'
China Downplays, Saying "US Capabilities Are Not What They Used to Be"

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Chinese media have claimed 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 integrating Russia and China.

China's state-run Global Times cited experts on the 15th, reporting that the functional adjustment of NATO, a collective security system composed of 30 countries from the US and Europe, will become a barometer for future suppression of China and Russia. The media reported that the US and NATO jointly condemned China, mentioning China's nuclear weapons expansion and military cooperation between China and Russia.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lu Xiang, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, pointed out, "NATO could be used as a stage for the US's anti-China containment," adding, "NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's remarks represent the US's outdated anti-China voice."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, noted, "The US's quasi-multilateralism to contain 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 China. 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 hold different views from the US regarding China," adding, "Europe observes the US from the same perspective as China." This implies that the US's capabilities are not what they used to be, and a constitutional crisis similar to last year could recur in the US.

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

Meanwhile, regarding NATO's structural challenge designation, the Chinese delegation to the European Union (EU) strongly opposed the exaggeration of the China threat theory on the same day. The Chinese delegation emphasized, "China has consistently implemented a defensive national defense policy," and "China's defense budget is smaller compared to NATO's."

The Chinese delegation added that China's defense budget this year is $209 billion (233.57 trillion won), while NATO's total military expenditure this year is $1.17 trillion. They condemned, "The world clearly sees whose military bases are spread worldwide and whose aircraft carriers are demonstrating force everywhere."

Regarding nuclear weapons, they also stated, "The number of nuclear warheads held by NATO member countries is 20 times that of China," and questioned, "China has promised not to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear countries and regions, but can NATO members make such a promise?" The Chinese delegation further added, "We hope that China's legitimate interests and rights will not be used for political manipulation or confrontation, and that efforts will be made for the stability of the international community."