China Slams NATO For 'Lies And Smears' Amid Allegations Of Supporting Russia, Urges 'To Stay Within Its Role As A Regional Defensive Organization'

In a recent development, China has accused NATO of smearing its reputation and has called on the alliance to abstain from meddling in Asian affairs. This comes in the wake of escalating military activity by China near Taiwan and the Philippines.

What Happened: Earlier this week, NATO’s 32 leaders issued a strong rebuke of Beijing, labeling it a “decisive enabler” of Russia’s war against Ukraine. They called on China to “cease all material and political support to Russia’s war effort”.

China has refuted these allegations as “provocative with obvious lies and smears,” the Financial Times reported on Thursday. The Chinese mission to the EU stated that China has advocated for a political resolution to the Ukraine conflict and has not supplied lethal weapons to any party involved.

“We urge [it] to stay within its role as a regional defensive organization in the North Atlantic," the Chinese statement said.

China has cautioned NATO to steer clear of Asia, terming it as “a place for peaceful development, not a wrestling ground for geopolitical competition.” Beijing has also criticized the alliance’s attempts to link Europe’s security with that of the Asia-Pacific.

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Why It Matters: This development comes as Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand join the NATO summit. In response to the growing power of the People's Liberation Army, U.S. allies in Asia have increased joint planning, exercises, and weapons deployments. NATO members like Britain, France, Canada, and Germany have also heightened military operations and security cooperation in the region. NATO is reportedly contemplating the deployment of additional nuclear weapons as a deterrent.

Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken criticized China for aiding Russia in the Ukraine war, describing it as the “biggest security threat” since the end of the Cold War.

Furthermore, Chinese President Xi Jinping recently urged global powers to facilitate dialogue between Russia and Ukraine, a move seen as a direct challenge to the US. Amid these developments, the geopolitical landscape in Asia continues to evolve rapidly.

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This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Pooja Rajkumari