Nato to formally recognise China ‘challenges’ for first time

Nato will formally recognise the “challenges” posed by China for the first time, but the alliance chief insisted on Tuesday that he did not want to make an adversary of Beijing.

Secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said China’s growing military capabilities – including missiles that could hit Europe and the United States – meant the alliance had to tackle the issue together.

The leaders of Nato’s 29 member states will sign off a joint summit statement on Wednesday acknowledging the “opportunities and challenges” posed by China’s rise.

The meeting outside London to mark the alliance’s 70th birthday, will also approve an internal report drawing up an action plan for how Nato should approach China.

“We have now recognised that the rise of China has security implications for all allies,” Stoltenberg said at an event in London.