China Hits Back at NATO Over Russia Accusations

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China’s foreign minister Wang Yi has strongly refuted NATO’s accusations that Beijing is aiding Russia in its war on Ukraine, calling them “groundless.” Speaking in a call with Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp, Mr. Wang warned the Western alliance against provoking confrontation. His comments followed a declaration by NATO leaders in Washington DC, which accused China of being a “decisive enabler” of Russia through its support for Russia’s defense industry and urged Beijing to halt all material and political support, including the supply of dual-use materials.

Western states have previously accused Beijing of transferring drone and missile technology and satellite imagery to Moscow, with the US estimating that about 70% of Russia’s machine tools and 90% of its microelectronics imports come from China. Beijing has also been accused of conducting malicious cyber activities and spreading disinformation on NATO states.

In his discussion with Mr. Veldkamp, Mr. Wang asserted that China “absolutely does not accept” these accusations and emphasized China’s role as a “force for peace and stability.” He criticized NATO for inciting confrontation based on differences in political systems and values, urging the alliance to “stay within its bounds.”

China’s foreign ministry and its mission to the EU have also responded, accusing NATO of spreading “fabricated disinformation” and hyping up the “so-called China threat.” Beijing maintains that it remains a neutral party in the conflict and has called for an end to the war, proposing a peace plan that Ukraine has rejected.

Despite these claims, observers note that Beijing’s substantial purchases of Russian oil and gas have bolstered Russia’s economy amidst sanctions and war expenses. China’s official stance on the conflict often aligns with Moscow’s, and President Xi Jinping has maintained a close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Beijing has accused the US and other Western states of exacerbating the conflict by supplying lethal weapons and technology to Ukraine and allowing their use against targets inside Russia.