The NATO chief raises concerns about the accumulation of weapons from China, calling on the allies to work together

Yokosuka, Japan (AP) – The NATO The chief expressed concern on Tuesday Construction of weapons and military exercises in China near Taiwan And called on the members of the organization and the friendly nations to work together to keep the seaways open and open in the region.

“China supports Russia’s efforts. China accumulates its armed forces, including its navy, at a quick pace,” said NATO secretary general, Mark Rutte “We cannot be naive and we must really work together, assess what is going on.”

Rutte said NATO worries Chinese military exercises near Taiwan and “we follow them very closely”.

Japan considers China as a threat to the region and has accelerated military accumulation in recent years, in particular by preparing to acquire strike capacities with long -range cruise missiles.

Japan, in addition to the United States, has expanded its ties of defense with other friendly nations in Indo-Pacific and Europe, as well as NATO, saying The Russia War against Ukraine Stresses that security risks in Europe and Asia are inseparable.

The United States wants NATO members to be more involved in the Indo-Pacific region, Rutte said. He welcomed the US Secretary for Defense Pete Hegseth’s recent trip to Japan To ensure Washington’s commitment to strengthen its alliance with Japan and its presence in the region. He stressed its importance, noting that Japan is the only member of the group of seven who is not in NATO.

NATO has also intensified its links with Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, known as the IP4, in recent years, their civil servants attend ministerial meetings and at the top of NATO.

Rutte, visiting Japan for the first time since its entry into chief of the military alliance based in Belgium in October, was to speak with Japanese Minister of Defense Gen Nakatani on Tuesday and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba Wednesday.

Ishiba recommended a NATO -type security framework in Asia, although it has not given details.

Countries with common security problems strengthen links as competition degenerates between the United States and China. Beijing criticized NATO’s growing ties with Indo-Pacific partners, fearing that Washington would move to form a NATO type alliance in the region.

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Yamaguchi reported to Tokyo.