NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called Monday for China to be more transparent about its nuclear weapons program.
Stoltenberg’s office said in a statement that the NATO Secretary-General had a video conference with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to discuss relations between the alliance and China and international security challenges.
Stoltenberg stressed that the transatlantic military alliance does not view China as an adversary, but urged China to comply with its international obligations and asked Beijing to take more responsibility in upholding the rules-based international order.
He also conveyed the alliance’s concerns about China’s military modernization, especially its nuclear programs, calling on Beijing to participate in a dialogue with NATO on arms control.
Stoltenberg noted that the parties could mutually benefit from transparency regarding their nuclear capabilities and doctrine.
On the other hand, the Secretary-General of NATO called for a coordinated international approach towards the Taliban movement to make it fulfill its promises regarding the fight against terrorism and the preservation of human rights.
It is noteworthy that for the first time in the history of NATO, the summit of the leaders of the countries of the alliance last June addressed “China’s stated ambitions and behaviors” and “coercive policies that contradict the core values enshrined in the alliance.”
The leaders agreed to engage in constructive dialogue with China on related issues, such as climate change, but called on Beijing to “fulfill its international obligations and act responsibly in the international system, including in the space, cyber and maritime domains, in line with its role as a major power.”
