NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte has issued a warning that China could attack Taiwan as there is a “massive military buildup” of Beijing’s forces.
The NATO chief is concerned that China invading Taiwan will draw in Russia which will have an impact to security across Europe.
At the NATO summit in The Hague Rutte said, “We have this close relationship with Japan and the Republic of Korea, Australia and New Zealand, exactly for the reason that these countries are very, very worried about the massive military buildup in China that at the moment is taking place.”
The Independent reported, Rutte added, “We are all very worried, of course, about the situation in Taiwan. And we also know there is a risk that if the Chinese will try anything with Taiwan, that no doubt he will call his junior partner, Mr Putin, and make sure … he will keep us busy here, if that would happen.
“That’s one of the reasons why we have to stand ready, and we cannot be naive.
“We have to be clear on this and that is why that extra defence spending is so important. That is why Nato does not have as an alliance opt-out, side deals, etc, because we all have to chip in.”
Rutte said that China is rapidly building their military and there is a visible increase in defence companies.
The NATO chief said, “We know that out of the 10 biggest defence companies, only a couple of years ago you would not find any Chinese companies. At this moment, you will find three to five Chinese defence companies in the top 10 of biggest defence companies in the world.
“This shows you that this massive buildup is taking place and is having a huge impact, also when it comes to the defence industrial production of China. And of course, they don’t do this only because they want to have nice parades in Beijing. I guess it’s there for a reason.”
The US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned this month that China invading Taiwan could be “imminent” as Beijing is “actively training” every day preparing to attack Taipei.
Hegseth said at a security conference in Singapore that Beijing’s military is “rehearsing for the real deal,” he added, “We are not going to sugarcoat it — the threat China poses is real. And it could be imminent.”
He added that “we must all do our part.”
