How NATO Just Opened A New Front In The U.S.-China Cold War

-Analysis-

PARIS — The Chinese spokesperson was very agitated, on Thursday, against NATO, calling it a “relic of the Cold War.” He described the final communiqué from the Washington Summit as “biased,” “defamatory,” and “provocative.” Such vehement language from Beijing has not been heard in a long time.

China is reacting strongly to a part of the Washington communiqué that directly implicates it. NATO describes China as a “decisive enabler” of Russia’s war in Ukraine, and demands that Beijing “cease all material and political support” for Russia’s war effort. That is the toughest language NATO has ever used against China.

Beijing’s concerns

Beijing is upset and concerned for two reasons. The first is the mere fact that NATO is increasingly engaging with it. In recent years, France had been resisting this trend, for example, by opposing the opening of a NATO office in Tokyo.

French President Emmanuel Macron had long believed he could persuade Chinese President Xi Jinping to push their Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin toward compromise — to no avail. Whether he has given up, or France’s voice is less influential, Paris has endorsed the communiqué that toughens the tone.

Beijing views the increased interest of this “Atlantic” organization in Asia with suspicion.

NATO is a military alliance, and Beijing views the increased interest of this “Atlantic” organization in Asia with suspicion; especially since NATO is under unshared American leadership, and Beijing has not abandoned the hope of seeing Europeans distance themselves from the United States in their standoff with China.

The second reason for China’s concern is even more concrete: Beijing fears that its companies could be targeted by Western sanctions for their role in supporting Russia.

Secondary sanctions 

These are called “secondary” sanctions: if a Chinese company supplies electronic components to a Russian arms manufacturer, itself under sanctions, the Chinese company can also be targeted. A handful of Chinese companies have already been hit. The wording of the communiqué implies the threat of action against those aiding the Russian war effort.

Despite efforts by U.S. President Joe Biden and Xi to try to establish rules of the game to avoid unpleasant surprises, their two countries are sinking into a dangerous cold war.

Uncertainty in Washington over Biden’s health status is likely encouraging Beijing to be bolder.

There are plenty of friction points, and uncertainty in Washington over Biden’s health status is likely encouraging Beijing to be bolder. This week, we saw the announcement of Chinese military maneuvers in Belarus, a Russian satellite state and NATO neighbor.

What is the Chinese army doing so far from home? Repaying the Americans in kind for signing defense treaties with the Philippines — with whom Beijing is in full confrontation in the South China Sea — or for supporting Taiwan, the coveted island.

This dangerous game explains why NATO’s intrusion into Asian affairs is so unwelcome to Beijing. The war in Ukraine is indeed a major test of international relations.