China expresses concerns regarding the intensification of NATO activities in Asia

The North Atlantic Alliance intends to open a diplomatic relations office in the capital of Japan, Tokyo, the first representation in Asia, to facilitate discussions with security partners, including Australia, South Korea and New Zealand, in the context of the geopolitical challenges generated by China and Russia, said Japanese and NATO officials, quoted by the Nikkei Asia agency.

Oana Lungescu, the spokeswoman for NATO, stated, according to the Reuters agency, that she cannot provide details about the deliberative activities of the NATO nations. “NATO has offices and diplomatic liaison arrangements with a number of international organizations and partner states, and Allied nations constantly evaluate those diplomatic liaison arrangements to ensure that they best serve both NATO’s needs and the those of the partners”, declared Oana Lungescu, stating that NATO has a close partnership with Japan, which continues to be developed.

“Practical cooperation includes a wide range of fields, including cyber defense, maritime security, humanitarian and disaster assistance, non-proliferation, science, technology and people’s security,” Oana Lungescu emphasized.

But the NATO initiative attracted criticism from China. Asia is “a promising area for cooperation and development, it should not become an arena of geopolitical battles,” said Mao Ning, spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

“The continued expansion of NATO to the east in the Asia-Pacific area, the interference in regional affairs, the attempts to destroy regional peace and stability, as well as the instigation of a confrontation between military blocs require increased vigilance on the part of the nations in the region”, drew Mao’s attention Snow.