[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has adopted a new strategic concept that mentions China for the first time in history and explicitly identifies Russia as a direct threat.
On the 29th (local time), NATO unveiled the new strategic concept on the first day of the summit held in Madrid, Spain. The most notable change in the new strategic concept, which outlines goals and response scopes for the next decade, is the mention of China. NATO described in the strategic concept that "China's explicit ambitions and coercive policies challenge our interests, security, and values."
NATO further stated, "China extensively uses political, economic, and military tools to expand its international presence and demonstrate power, but China's strategy, intentions, and military buildup remain opaque," emphasizing that "China seeks to control key technology sectors, industrial sectors, critical infrastructure, strategic materials, and supply chains, and strives to overturn the rules-based international order in space, cyberspace, and maritime domains."
It continued, "The deepening strategic partnership between China and Russia and their attempts to undermine the rules-based international order run counter to our values and interests."
Russia was described in even stronger terms. NATO defined Russia as "the most serious and direct threat to the security of member countries and the peace and stability of the European and Atlantic regions," stating, "Russia cannot be considered our partner." It added, "Russia seeks to demonstrate influence and establish dominance through coercion, subversion, invasion, and (territorial) annexation," and noted, "Russia is modernizing its nuclear forces and increasing new and destructive delivery systems usable for both nuclear and conventional weapons."
Moreover, NATO pledged, "We will continue to respond to Russia's threats and hostile acts in a united and responsible manner," and "We will continue to support our partners to respond to malicious interference and aggression."
Separate mentions were also made regarding North Korea and Iran. NATO wrote, "Iran and North Korea continue to develop nuclear and missile programs," and "Syria, North Korea, and Russia have relied on the use of chemical weapons alongside non-state actors."
In a separate statement released that day, NATO declared, "Russia's horrific atrocities have caused immense suffering and large-scale displacement, and all responsibility for this humanitarian disaster lies with Russia," vowing to hold accountable all those responsible for war crimes, including sexual violence.
NATO promised to continue political and practical support so that Ukraine can "defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against Russia's aggression," accelerate the supply of non-lethal defensive equipment, improve cyber defense capabilities and resilience, and support the modernization of the Ukrainian military.
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