NATO leaders on Wednesday (Jul 10) labelled China a "decisive enabler" of Russia's war against Ukraine, accusing it of playing a key role in helping Moscow's assault.
Beijing in response warned the alliance against "provoking confrontation" over China's ties with Russia.
They said that China "has become a decisive enabler of Russia's war against Ukraine through its so-called 'no limits' partnership and its large-scale support for Russia's defence industrial base."
The NATO leaders also warned China that it "cannot enable the largest war in Europe in recent history without this negatively impacting its interests and reputation."
China slams NATOReacting to the NATO declaration on its ties with Russia, China warned the alliance against "hyping up the so-called China threat".
NATO leaders on Wednesday (Jul 10) labelled China a "decisive enabler" of Russia's war against Ukraine, accusing it of playing a key role in helping Moscow's assault. Beijing in response warned the alliance against "provoking confrontation" over China's ties with Russia.
"Decisive enabler" of Russia-Ukraine war
In a declaration shared from their summit in Washington, NATO leaders expressed "deep concern," over China's deepening ties with Russia, reports news agency AFP. They said that China "has become a decisive enabler of Russia's war against Ukraine through its so-called 'no limits' partnership and its large-scale support for Russia's defence industrial base."
The communique called on China to "cease all material and political support to Russia's war effort," including "the transfer of dual-use materials, such as weapons components, equipment, and raw materials that serve as inputs for Russia's defence sector."
As per Reuters, it also expressed concern about Beijing's expanding space capabilities and referred to the nation's rapid expansion of its nuclear arsenal, urging China to engage in strategic risk reduction talks.
The NATO leaders also warned China that it "cannot enable the largest war in Europe in recent history without this negatively impacting its interests and reputation."
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told the press later that this was the first time the 32 NATO allies had come together to label China this way, and that it was an important message.
"I think the message sent from NATO from this summit is very strong and very clear, and we are clearly defining China's responsibility when it comes to enabling Russia's war," said the outgoing Secretary-General.
China slams NATO
Reacting to the NATO declaration on its ties with Russia, China warned the alliance against "hyping up the so-called China threat".
"NATO should stop hyping up the so-called China threat and provoking confrontation and rivalry, and do more to contribute to world peace and stability," a spokesperson for Beijing's mission to the European Union said in a statement on its website.
(With inputs from agencies)
