NHT REPORT
China has noted the political change in Pakistan. As a close neighbour and an iron-clad friend of Pakistan, China sincerely hopes that all parties of Pakistan can stay united and jointly defend national stability and development. I want to stress that no matter how the political situation may change in Pakistan, China will unswervingly follow the Pakistan policy of friendship. We believe the political change in Pakistan will not affect the overall China-Pakistan relations. This was stated by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian in reply to a question posed by?Reuters during the regular media briefing that Pakistan’s former Prime Minister now, Imran Khan has been forced out after a no confidence vote. Is China concerned about what the change of leadership might mean for China-Pakistan relations?
In reply to an other question that during the meetings of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs on April 6 and 7, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg accused China of being”unwilling to condemn Russia’s aggression” against Ukraine, adding that “Beijing has joined Moscow in questioning the right of nations to choose their own path which is a serious challenge to all.” NATO’s Strategic Concept?2030 will for the first time take account of the systemic challenges to the security of democracies posed by China’s “growing influence and coercive policies”,
Mr. Zhao Lijian said that for some time, the NATO head has disregarded facts and confounded black with white when making groundless accusations, smears and attacks against China. He has made irresponsible comments on China’s foreign policies, touted the “China threat” and even used coercion on China recently. China deplores and rejects this, and has made solemn representations with NATO for many times.
As the largest military alliance born out of the Cold War, NATO has long adhered to the obsolete security concept, engaged in bloc confrontation according to the playbook of the old Cold War and reduced itself to some country’s tool for hegemony. While claiming to be a defensive organization, NATO has been constantly making trouble and creating?confrontation in reality. While asking other countries to abide by the basic norms governing international relations, NATO has grossly waged wars against sovereign countries and fired shells indiscriminately that led to civilian deaths and displacement. NATO, a military organization in the North Atlantic, has traveled to the Asia-Pacific to flex its muscles and provoke tensions in recent years. NATO has been transgressing regions and fields and clamoring for a new Cold War of bloc confrontation. This gives ample reason for high vigilance and firm opposition from the international community.
China has always been a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development and a guardian of international order. We will steadfastly pursue the path for peaceful development. China’s development means opportunities for the world, instead of a threat to anyone. NATO should immediately stop spreading disinformation and provocative remarks targeting China, and abandon the confrontational approach of drawing ideological lines. NATO has disrupted Europe. It should stop trying to destabilize Asia and the whole world.