The growing presence of NATO in the Asia-Pacific region causes intense concern in Beijing, which speaks of a threat to regional stability and denounces an attempt at strategic encirclement of China. Through its military upgrade and diplomatic activity, Beijing attempts to reshape balances with Europe, warning that the expansion of the Alliance in Asia harbors serious risks for international security.
On the occasion of the 99th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA), which was created in August 1927, the Chinese military honors every year on August 1 the anniversary of its founding, in memory of the Nanchang Uprising of 1927.
This year's anniversary takes place while efforts to modernize China's defense capabilities continue, alongside diplomatic and military initiatives aimed at strengthening dialogue, partnerships, and exchange of experiences with European, Asian, and other international armed forces.
The PLA is considered the cornerstone of China's national defense. Chinese military representatives in embassies and consulates around the world organize official events every year for the celebration of the anniversary, while Chinese embassies, such as the one in Belgium and other European countries, host receptions highlighting the role of the PLA in maintaining global peace and stability, as well as its development capabilities and operational readiness.
The goal of the PLA is to evolve into a modern, integrated military force covering land, naval, and air operations.
China's military diplomacy in Europe
China's military relations with European armed forces reflect the logic of military diplomacy, as Beijing seeks to deepen its ties with European allies and partners through military cooperation, mutual engagement, and exchange of experiences.
Military channels of communication with European countries function as conduits of dialogue for exchanging views on regional and international security, aiming to maintain balance and stability.
At the same time, Beijing emphasizes, through its diplomatic activity, the importance of balanced partnerships with the European Union and its member states, in order to enhance global stability and predictability.
The confrontation with NATO
China's relations with European militaries are characterized simultaneously by strategic competition and mutual caution, primarily due to Washington's attempt to use NATO as a tool to contain Chinese power.
As a result, tension has developed between the Chinese military and NATO, as Beijing rejects the expansion of the Alliance in Asia, considering that the expansion of its presence in the Indo-Pacific constitutes a threat to regional stability and contradicts the multipolar international order.
According to Chinese strategic thinking, the country rejects the logic of military hegemony and opposes US power policies, which, it argues, are implemented through the military alliance of NATO, as noted in its analysis by Modern Diplomacy.
China and the PLA categorically reject any NATO involvement in Asia-Pacific affairs, considering that this intervention undermines both regional and international stability and leads to confrontations between military coalitions.
The official Chinese position
The official position of the Chinese military characterizes NATO as a remnant of the Cold War, which attempts to expand its action beyond its original geographical boundaries.
China directly accuses NATO of provoking tensions and fueling conflicts in Asia, while warning against the militarization of the region through the Alliance's partnerships with countries such as Japan and Australia.
In the Chinese view, the country's defense policy aims to protect national sovereignty and regional security, while Western initiatives are interpreted as attempts to contain Chinese influence and impose US hegemony.
For this reason, Chinese intelligence, defense, and security circles reject any attempt to link Euro-Atlantic security with issues of the Indo-Pacific region.
Relations with European militaries
China's military relations with European countries are characterized by the effort to maintain strategic autonomy.
Certain European capitals seek to avoid full involvement in the confrontation between the United States and China, choosing to protect their commercial interests and strengthen their self-reliance.
At the same time, technological and industrial competition between European militaries and the PLA is intensifying.
Cybersecurity and technological competition
NATO closely monitors the development of Chinese capabilities in cyberspace and artificial intelligence, considering that they constitute strategic challenges with impacts on global supply chains.
On the other hand, China assesses that NATO policies primarily serve the interests of the United States at the expense of European security.
The Alliance also monitors digital operations and hybrid attacks that, according to its own assessment, are linked to actors associated with Beijing and target critical infrastructure and technological systems.
In this context, NATO places particular emphasis on maintaining technological superiority in areas such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors, to prevent potential disruptions in global supply chains.
The accusation of US dominance
For all these reasons, the Chinese stance toward NATO is based on the accusation that the Alliance operates under the political dominance of the United States.
Beijing considers that NATO expansion and its transatlantic strategy serve the US geopolitical agenda at the expense of China and, ultimately, negatively affect European security itself.
In the Chinese view, NATO's growing involvement in Asia-Pacific issues and technological confrontation do not serve the interests of Europe, but threaten global stability overall.
China argues that NATO functions as a tool for executing Washington's strategic plans, seeking to rally its member states into an expansion policy toward Asia aimed at containing Chinese power.
The Chinese government and the PLA reject the Alliance's involvement in the Asia-Pacific region, arguing that NATO's policies undermine the economic and technological security of Europe. According to Beijing, the technological confrontation promoted by the Alliance constitutes a threat to international stability and ultimately weakens European security itself.
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