China-Russia cooperation is prompting Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand to strengthen ties with NATO. Japanese Prime Minister Kishida, South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol, Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon are all attending the NATO summit this week in the U.S. capital.

Washington

Leaders of the NATO alliance are meeting this week for a summit in Washington, D.C.

NATO summit

NATO is poised to enhance its cooperation with key partners in the Indo-Pacific in response to increasing China-Russia collaboration. Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand are strengthening their ties with the alliance as their leaders attend the NATO summit in Washington, D.C.

China has denied supplying weapons to Russia but has been accused by NATO of supporting Russia’s military efforts through crucial components. This support is seen as a significant factor in the ongoing conflict. NATO's Secretary General has emphasized the impact of this cooperation on the battlefield and the broader security landscape.

NATO’s strategic focus has traditionally been transatlantic, but recent developments have led the alliance to identify China’s ambitions as a security challenge. China’s growing economic and military power, its actions regarding Taiwan, and its increased influence in the South China Sea heighten the relevance of the Indo-Pacific for NATO, given the area’s importance to global trade.

At the upcoming summit, NATO leaders will discuss strategies to address not only the challenges posed by China but also those from Iran and North Korea, who are supplying Russia with military equipment. The summit aims to deepen cooperation in various areas, including Ukraine, cyber technologies, and defense production.

The involvement in the Indo-Pacific remains a point of contention among NATO members. Some anticipate a greater U.S. focus on the region, which might necessitate more self-reliance in European defense. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has underscored the need for NATO nations to build partnerships to maintain the international order.



NATO set to deepen relations with its Indo-Pacific partners

Their limitless friendship is giving NATO a headache. China has become a vital partner for Russia as it tries to soften the impact of Western sanctions. Beijing says it doesn't supply Moscow with weapons. But NATO has accused China of building up Russia's war machine by providing critical components. Russia getting this support from China is, as Secretary General said, a huge difference maker right now on the battlefield. And for China to purport to have better relations with countries in Europe, while fueling what I believe is the biggest threat and what Europeans believe is the biggest threat to their security since the end of the Cold War, does not add up. The alliance has traditionally focused on the transatlantic area. But in its latest strategic concept, NATO describes China's ambitions as a challenge to its security. Beijing already has the second biggest economy in the world and, in numbers, the biggest army and navy in the world. For the last few years, China has been asserting its power in its neighbourhood. In particular, towards Taiwan, which it considers a renegade province, but also towards Japan and increasingly in the South China Sea. A region of strategic importance for NATO countries as well, as one third of global trade is shipped through the area. China cannot be treated as a country too far distant from the transatlantic area. When you look at different European nations, allied countries, there is a presence of China, be it economically, with the control of some ports, some facilities. At their summit in Washington, D.C., NATO leaders will discuss how to address challenges posed by China, but also by Iran and North Korea, who are providing Russia with drones and shells. NATO is also expected to expand its cooperation with partners in the Indo-Pacific region. Leaders from South Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand will participate in the summit. We will build on our practical cooperation with flagship projects on Ukraine, cyber and new technologies. We will also address how to work more closely on defence industrial production. Getting more involved in the Indo-Pacific area is still controversial among some NATO members. Many expect the US to focus more on the region in the future, and then Europeans will have to do more for their own defence. In any case, the war in Ukraine has demonstrated that NATO nations need partners to uphold the rules-based international order. For more UN videos visit www.un.org

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