Shifting China-NATO Relations: From Selective Cooperation to Strategic Rivalry?
Jagannath P. Panda
Introduction:
On March 15, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) General Secretary Jens Stoltenberg called on China to withdraw its support for Russia and to condemn its “brutal” invasion of Ukraine (NATO, March 15). The next day, the nationalistic state media outlet Global Times issued a scathing criticism of NATO as a “puppet” of the United States that is “stained with blood” (Global Times, March 16). China’s aversion to NATO is hardly new. However, as China continues to rise and the global center of gravity shifts to the Indo-Pacific region, Beijing’s fears that U.S. is seeking to establish an “Asian NATO” via partnerships like the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), have also increased (China Daily, June 6, 2004; Global Times, October 11, 2020). Concurrently, China’s exponential rise, its coercive behavior and Beijing’s ‘special’ relationship with Moscow have significantly altered its relationship with NATO.
This article analyzes the drivers of the recent disconnect between NATO and China, especially given Beijing’s ambivalent position on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In doing so, this piece seeks to answer the following questions: are Beijing’s fears of NATO expanding or replicating in the Indo-Pacific legitimate? Will the “no-limits” China-Russia friendship test existing U.S.-led Indo-Pacific security coalitions?
You can read the full China Brief on The Jamestown’s Foundation’s website.
Related Publications
-
How Credible Is NATO’s Pivot to China?
Introduction: In June 2022, the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance (NATO) held its first summit since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Aptly described as “historic, transformative, game-changing,” the meeting […]
-
The AI Race: Collaboration to Counter Chinese Aggression
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to replace humans, as it can help overcome language barriers, improve governance, deliver better healthcare, and create art. However, AI also has the potential […]
-
Finland-Taiwan Relations: An Overview and Changes after COVID-19 Pandemic
Abstract: Despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations between Finland and Taiwan, the two sides have maintained a practical relationship through trade, tourism, and educational and cultural exchanges. The COVID-19 […]
-
The Dangers of a Stagnant China: The Necessity of Awkward Coexistence
Abstract: In the build-up to the 20th Party Congress, a series of essays emerged focusing on Xi Jinping cementing a third term as General Secretary of the Communist Party of […]
-
Will the PLA Pledge Total Allegiance to Xi Jinping?
This article was originally posted on The National Interest’s website, you can find the article here. Xi’s resolute grip on the three most powerful positions in Chinese society has […]
-
Did Nancy Pelosi’s Taiwan Trip Close the Thucydides Trap?
This article was originally posted on The National Interest’s website, you can find the article here. Chinese state media has declared the U.S. House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit […]