China tells NATO to stop exaggerating ‘China threat theory’

The furious response comes after NATO leaders pledged to work together to counter ‘systemic challenges’ posed by Chinese policies.

China has urged NATO to stop exaggerating what it called the “China threat theory” after the 30-nation transatlantic security alliance pledged to counter the “systemic challenges” posed by Beijing’s policies. China’s response on Tuesday came a day after NATO leaders met in Brussels and issued a communique criticising Beijing’s nuclear arsenal as well as its space and cyberwarfare capabilities. “China’s stated ambitions and assertive behaviour present systemic challenges to the rules-based international order and to areas relevant to alliance security,” the communique said.