Zhao Lijian, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, criticized the idea of setting limits on trade exchanges on the basis of values, in reference to recent statements made by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg against China.

Stoltenberg complained about China’s increasing efforts to control infrastructure, supply chains and industrial sectors, lamented the presence of its rare earths in phones, cars and military equipment, and called for curbing any opportunity to exploit vulnerabilities.

In response, Zhao defended Beijing’s healthy and equal relations with companies, countries and organizations around the world, including NATO, and said that they always left benefits for all parties involved.

He also specified that supply chains flow within the framework of market laws and through business behavior, after urging the bloc not to act beyond its authority or seek to establish its own gang rules.

As a defensive regional alliance, NATO must strictly observe its geographic spectrum, he noted and denounced its ongoing expansion even into the Internet and outer space after the end of the Cold War.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman emphasized that China pursues a foreign policy of peace, does not interfere in the internal affairs of other nations, nor does it impose extraterritorial laws, economic sanctions and unilateralism.

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