China urges ‘high vigilance’ over NATO expansion in Asia

Following a media report that NATO plans to open an office in Japan to consult with regional allies, China called for “high vigilance” against its “eastward expansion.”

The Nikkei Asia reported on Wednesday that Japanese and NATO officials are planning to create NATO’s first liaison office in Asia in Japan to facilitate talks with security partners like South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand amid geopolitical concerns from China and Russia.

According to Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, Asia is a “promising land for cooperation and development and should not be a battle arena for geopolitics”.

“NATO’s continual eastward expansion in the Asia-Pacific, interference in regional affairs, attempts to destroy regional peace and stability, and push for bloc confrontation calls for high vigilance from countries in the region,” Mao said a regular press conference.

Nikkei Asia reported that the Tokyo office would open next year.

Oana Lungescu, NATO spokesperson, previously declined to discuss the Nikkei Asia article.

“NATO has offices and liaison arrangements with a number of international organisations and partner countries, and allies regularly assess those liaison arrangements to ensure that they best serve the needs of both NATO and our partners,” she said.

Lungescu said NATO’s relationship with Japan is strong and growing.