This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/newsline/491385-china-west-nato-stoltenberg/

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
‘The Chinese are coming’: NATO chief Stoltenberg says Beijing nearing West in various ways The Chinese are coming: NATO chief Stoltenberg warns Beijing nearing West in multiple ways
(about 5 hours later)
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday that the West cannot ignore the rise of China. Beijing is coming closer to the West in various ways – in the Arctic, in cyberspace and in critical infrastructure, including telecommunications, he told BBC radio. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said the West “cannot ignore” either the military or economic rise of China, and admitted that the world is “facing a shift in the global balance of power.”
The head of the Western military alliance also said it was important that Britain reviewed of the role of Huawei in its 5G network to ensure its security. Speaking to BBC Radio on Wednesday, Stoltenberg said Beijing was creeping closer to the West in multiple ways: through cyberspace, telecommunications, critical infrastructure and in Arctic exploration.
“I trust that the UK government will design their networks in ways that protect the networks and make sure that the UK has secure 5G networks,” Stoltenberg told BBC radio. “We cannot ignore the consequences of the rise of China. China will soon have the biggest economy in the world. They already have the second largest defense budget,” he warned.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, when asked about Stoltenberg’s comments, said that China does not pose a threat to any country. “We hope NATO can continue to hold a correct opinion about us and view our development rationally,” Reuters quoted the spokeswoman as saying. The head of the Western military alliance also said it was important that Britain reviewed the role of Chinese tech giant Huawei in its 5G network to guarantee its security. He said he trusts that the UK government will design its 5G networks in a way that ensures they will remain protected and “secure.”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been heavily criticized over a decision to allow Huawei to help build Britain’s 5G network.
Asked about Stoltenberg’s comments, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said that China does not pose a threat to any country and that she hopes NATO can view its development “rationally,” Reuters reported.
Stoltenberg noted that Beijing is investing “heavily” in modern military capabilities and has added 80 ships to its navy in just the past five years, which is equal to the total number of ships belonging to the UK’s Royal Navy.
“China is becoming a more and more important military power and we have to address that,” he said, adding that NATO must ensure it remains a “strong force in the future” as it faces a “shift in the global balance of power.”
Like this story? Share it with a friend!