China has attacked NATO for criticizing the alliance for supporting Russia

 

"China attacked NATO on Tuesday, saying the alliance was defaming Beijing. Before the start of the NATO summit in Washington, NATO accused China of supporting Russia.

 

US President Joe Biden is hosting the leaders of the 32-member NATO, as well as the leaders of Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea, for a three-day meeting on Tuesday.

 

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told a press conference ahead of the alliance's 75th anniversary meeting that their inclusion "shows that our security is not a regional but a global" issue.

 

"This is clearly shown during the events in Ukraine, when Iran, North Korea, China support Russia," Mr. Stoltenberg said on Monday. His words are quoted in a transcript released by NATO. China is indeed providing dual-use goods to Russia.

 

The Chinese Foreign Ministry attacked this defense alliance, established in 1949 to ensure collective security in the face of the then Soviet Union.

 

"NATO's so-called security is being pursued at the expense of the security of other countries, its (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) actions have created extremely serious security risks for the world and the region.

 

China strongly opposes NATO's slanders and attacks on China, its desire to shift the blame to others, as well as NATO's use of China as an excuse to move eastwards, into the Asia-Pacific region and incite tensions in the region," the Chinese foreign affairs ministry echoed Russia's narrative at a regular press conference in Beijing, organized by ministry spokesman Lin Jian.

 

NATO leaders are meeting in Washington after a series of setbacks in Ukraine and election-related setbacks on both sides of the Atlantic.

 

Mr. Biden is fighting for his political survival after a highly unsuccessful debate with his presidential rival, NATO-skeptic Republican Donald Trump.

 

The star of the summit should be Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is seeking clear signs of support even if NATO does not invite his country to become a member."