Ukraine on agenda as China-Nato military talks resume after Covid-induced break

Chinese delegation meets counterparts in Brussels on a trip that also includes stops in Hungary and Germany

Discussions held amid accusations that Beijing is considering supplying weapons to Moscow

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Nato says maritime security and Ukraine were among the topics discussed in talks with Chinese military officials on Thursday. Photo: AP

Published: 8:00pm, 25 Feb 2023

Chinese and Nato military officials have held talks in Brussels on the war in Ukraine, a move that one Chinese analyst described as a positive sign of a post-Covid return to normal.

The talks on Thursday took place a day before Beijing released its 12-point plan for resolving the Ukraine conflict and amid warnings to China from Europe and the United States not to supply weapons to Russia.

“[The talks] were focused on developing bilateral relations on defence, exchanging comments on geopolitical and security issues that were of mutual concern, and enhancing mutual understanding and trust,” the Chinese defence ministry said in a brief statement on Saturday.

Nato said the topics raised included “the global security situation, with special emphasis on Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine, maritime security; Nato’s new Strategic Concept and China’s military modernisation”.

The Chinese delegation was headed by Major General Yao Qin, deputy chief of the Central Military Commission’s international military cooperation office.

The Nato officials included Lieutenant General Janusz Adamczak, director general of the Nato International Military Staff (IMS), and Lieutenant General Francesco Diella, director of the IMS Cooperative Security Division.