China Warns Japan on NATO

The Chinese embassy in Japan stated on Monday (24 July) that NATO's aim to expand into the Asia-Pacific area violates UN regulations and expressed hope that Japan would avoid from acts in its interactions with NATO that would erode regional confidence.

On May 26, China expressed caution Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's attendance at a NATO summit scheduled for July, saying Tokyo should not do anything that damages mutual trust between regional countries.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a press conference in Beijing that NATO's eastward foray into the Asia-Pacific "undermines regional peace and stability" and countries in the area "should be on high alert."

Mao urged Japan to "draw lessons from history and be committed to peaceful development," referring to the neighboring country's past military aggression.

Arrangements are underway for Kishida's participation at the NATO summit in Lithuania. The Japanese leader is also expected to hold bilateral talks with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to discuss the trans-Atlantic alliance's plan to open a liaison office in Tokyo, according to Japanese government sources.