China denounces NATO statement, defends defence policy

The Chinese mission to the European Union denounced a NATO statement that declared Beijing a “security challenge”, saying China is a force for peace but will defend itself if threatened.

The Chinese news release said the NATO statement was a “slander on China’s peaceful development, a misjudgment of the international situation and [NATO’s] own role, and a continuation of the Cold War mentality”. NATO allies joined the U.S. on Monday in formally criticising Beijing as a “constant security challenge”.

Washington has singled out China as a particular threat, especially in the South China Sea, where it has built and militarized artificial islands, as well as over its attempts to intimidate self-governing Taiwan, which it claims as its own territory to be annexed by military force if necessary.