NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has cautioned that China’s fast-growing military capabilities are a real threat to local and world security, and most importantly with regard to Taiwan. Addressing before a NATO summit in The Hague, Rutte indicated that China’s “massive military buildup” has heightened the danger of conflict within the Indo-Pacific that might engage Russia and affect European security.
Rutte added regional powers such as Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand have increased cooperation with NATO out of concern for China’s rising military might. He cautioned that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan might be followed by Russian action in Europe, intended to split NATO’s attention and resources. “That’s why we have to stay alert and together,” Rutte said, calling for more defence spending and alliance cohesion.
Beijing has consistently held large-scale military exercises off the coast of Taiwan, instilling fear of invasion. Taiwan receives cutting-edge arms from the US and has close regional allies, thus any war could potentially involve America as well. China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has repeatedly promised reunification, if not by peaceful means then by force.
Rutte pointed to the increased visibility of Chinese defense companies, many of which are now listed among the world’s top ten, as proof of China’s strategic purposes. “They’re not constructing this for Beijing parades,” he said, implying the build-up indicates long-term geostrategic ambitions.
The NATO leader set out plans to revamp the alliance by increasing defence spending levels to 5% of GDP and increasing defence industry capacity. He reiterated NATO’s support for Ukraine and for defending all allied territory. “Our security environment is worse, and we need to take a tough response,” he stated. “NATO will defend every inch of allied territory from any threat.”
