Europe’s real threat is its own inner ‘demon’, not Russia: former Chinese envoy

Cui Tiankai, a former Chinese foreign vice-minister, also claimed Nato had outlived its relevance and argued that the transatlantic security alliance no longer served the long-term interests of its members.

Cui’s comments came during a discussion examining US relations with its allies under the Donald Trump administration at the World Peace Forum, organised by Tsinghua University’s Institute of International Relations in Beijing on Sunday.

The event took place amid widespread speculation about Nato’s role and future as the US president ramps up talk of taking over Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, an American ally.

Questions have intensified since the US military operation this month in Venezuela that culminated in the abduction of the South American country’s leader, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife. The two now face narcoterrorism charges in New York.