Time to talk China – POLITICO
MUNICH — Get up, Europe. We should face the China problem.
That was NATO Secretary-Normal Jens Stoltenberg’s message on Saturday for the worldwide safety elite gathered on the Munich Safety Convention.
The army alliance chief straight linked Russia’s conflict in Ukraine to China, hinting at issues about Beijing launching a conflict on Taiwan, the self-governed island Beijing nonetheless claims.
“What is occurring in Europe at present,” he cautioned, “might occur in east Asia tomorrow.”
Moscow, Stoltenberg underscored, “desires a distinct Europe” whereas Beijing “is watching carefully to see the value Russia pays — or the reward it receives for its aggression.”
“Even when the conflict ends tomorrow,” he added, “our safety surroundings is modified for the long run.”
Stoltenberg’s remarks come in opposition to the backdrop of a broader dialog amongst Western allies about how to strategy China because it makes revanchist army threats towards Taiwan and pumps up its personal industries with authorities assist.
Whereas nations just like the U.S. have pushed allies to maintain a more in-depth eye on Beijing and distance themselves from China’s economic system, others have expressed warning about turning China into such an unequivocal enemy.
The NATO chief warned that Western allies should act united on each the army and financial fronts.
“The conflict in Ukraine has made clear the hazard of over-reliance on authoritarian regimes,” he famous.
“We must always not make the identical mistake with China and different authoritarian regimes,” he stated, calling on the West to eschew its dependence on China for the uncooked supplies powering society. He additionally warned in opposition to exporting key applied sciences to the nation.
And whereas specializing in exterior adversaries, Stoltenberg additionally implored NATO allies to keep away from inside squabbling.
“We should not create new obstacles between free and open economies,” he stated.
“A very powerful lesson from the conflict in Ukraine,” he added, “is that North America and Europe should stand collectively.”
