NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte described the strengthening of China's defense capabilities as “amazing“, reported Agence France-Presse, BTA reported.
He said this during his visit to Japan, which began today and aims to spread the alliance's influence in the Asia-Pacific region.
“Let's not be naive about China. The strengthening of its armed forces, its investments in the defense industry and in its defense capabilities are amazing“, Rutte said in an interview published by the newspaper. “Japan Times“.
US President Donald Trump is pressuring other NATO members, mostly European ones, to increase their defense spending. He also wants US allies in the Asia-Pacific region to strengthen their own military capabilities to counter China and deter North Korea.
“The US is increasingly pushing for NATO to be more involved (in the region). Not in the sense of Article 5, but in the sense of spreading influence, of mutual support within NATO," Rutte said.
Article 5 of the NATO Charter states that if one member country is attacked, the others will consider this an attack on all allies and will come to its aid.
Rutte will visit the Yokosuka naval base later today south of Tokyo, and tomorrow he will meet Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and senior Japanese officials.
In recent years, NATO has sought to strengthen its ties with Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, inviting their leaders to attend NATO summits.
“We need to go beyond joint declarations [...] let's do something concrete“, said Rutte, who became NATO secretary general in October.
Japan has increased its defense cooperation with European countries, and in November Tokyo and the European Union announced a new partnership in the field of security and defense, AFP reported.