China issues sharp rebuke of NATO declaration

Lin Jian, spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, speaks to journalists at his agency's daily briefing. Johannes Neudecker/dpa

China has issued sharp criticism of the NATO summit declaration, which accuses Beijing of supporting Russia in its war against Ukraine.

NATO's claim about China's responsibility in the Ukraine war is unjustified, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian. He said NATO was spreading false information generated by the United States, thereby undermining cooperation between China and Europe.

At their summit in Washington, NATO intensified its tone towards China.

In the final summit declaration, the alliance accuses Beijing of being a "decisive enabler" for Russia's war against Ukraine.

Examples cited include extensive support for the Russian defence industry and the so-called "no limits" partnership.

NATO called on China to immediately cease all material and political support for Russia's war. This also includes dual-use civilian goods and raw materials used by the Russian arms industry.

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