China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, has sharply rebutted NATO’s recent accusations that Beijing is aiding Russia in its conflict with Ukraine.
During a call with Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp, Wang condemned NATO’s claims as “groundless” and warned the Western alliance against provoking further confrontation.
These remarks came shortly after NATO leaders convened in Washington, DC, and issued a declaration criticising China’s role in the war. They accused Beijing of being a “decisive enabler” of Russia through significant support for Russia’s defence industry.
NATO leaders urged China to halt all material and political support to Russia, including the provision of dual-use items—materials that can serve both civilian and military purposes.
Western nations have previously alleged that China has been transferring drone and missile technology, as well as satellite imagery, to Moscow. The US estimates that approximately 70% of machine tools and 90% of microelectronics imported by Russia are sourced from China.
Additionally, Beijing was accused of engaging in “malicious cyber and hybrid activities” and spreading disinformation against NATO states.
In his conversation with the Dutch foreign minister, Wang reiterated that China “absolutely does not accept” these accusations and insisted that China has “always been a force for peace and stability.”
He emphasised that China’s different political system and values should not be used by NATO to incite confrontation, and he called for NATO to “stay within its bounds.”
Earlier on Thursday, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson described NATO’s accusations as “fabricated disinformation,” while Beijing’s mission to the EU urged the alliance to “stop hyping up the so-called China threat.”
China maintains that it remains a neutral party in the Ukraine conflict, despite accusations of military support. Observers note that China’s significant purchases of Russian oil and gas have helped stabilise Russia’s economy, which has been strained by international sanctions and war expenditures.
China’s official stance on the conflict often mirrors Moscow’s, and President Xi Jinping has maintained a close relationship with President Vladimir Putin, with both leaders declaring their partnership to be without limits.
Beijing has also accused the US and its allies of exacerbating the conflict by supplying lethal weapons and technology to Ukraine. In recent weeks, several countries have even permitted Ukraine to use their weapons to strike targets inside Russia.
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