Military Space News
MILPLEX
NATO chief says China military expansion 'staggering'
NATO chief says China military expansion 'staggering'
by AFP Staff Writers
Tokyo (AFP) April 8, 2025

China's expansion of its armed forces is "staggering", NATO's chief said on a visit to Japan beginning Tuesday aimed at "projecting" the alliance's power in the Asia-Pacific region.

"Let us not be naive about China," secretary general Mark Rutte told the Japan Times.

"The build-up of their armed forces and investments in their defence industry, and in their defence capabilities, is staggering," Rutte said in the interview published on Monday.

US President Donald Trump is pressuring other members of the mainly European NATO alliance to increase their military spending.

At the same time Trump wants Asia-Pacific allies to beef up their militaries to help confront China and contain North Korea.

"More and more the US wants NATO to be more involved (in the region). Not in an Article 5 sense, but in a sense of projecting power, having each other's back within NATO," Rutte said.

NATO's Article 5 provides that if a member nation is attacked, all others will consider this an attack on all and will take action accordingly.

Rutte was due to visit the Yokosuka naval base on Tuesday and meet senior Japanese officials including, on Wednesday, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

NATO has moved to boost ties with Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand -- the so-called IP4 -- in recent years, with their leaders attending NATO summits.

Rutte told the Japan Times last week that NATO wanted to take this partnership to the next level by stepping up information-sharing and defence-industrial cooperation.

"We have to move beyond... joint declarations... let's make it practical," said the Dutchman, who became NATO chief last October.

Japan has increased military cooperation with countries in Europe and last November Tokyo and the European Union announced a new security and defence partnership.

Related Links
The Military Industrial Complex at SpaceWar.com
Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
MILPLEX
Can NATO agree a deal on spending that satisfies Trump?
Brussels, Belgium (AFP) April 4, 2025
US President Donald Trump is demanding NATO allies massively ramp up defence spending to five percent of GDP - a level that looks well out of reach for many. But with countries across the alliance scrambling to boost budgets, could a deal for a new target be reached by NATO's June summit that allows Trump to claim a win? - What Washington wants? - Trump, like other US presidents, has long accused European allies of taking US protection for granted and underspending on defence. But he ... read more

MILPLEX
Israeli army says intercepts missile fired from Yemen

NATO takes Ukraine lessons into Europe's top air defence drills

Israel army says intercepted missile launched from Yemen

Israel military says intercepted missile from Yemen

MILPLEX
US approves $1bn missile sale to Australia

Zelensky says attacks 'increasing' as 2 killed in missile and drone attacks

Russian strike kills 16 in Ukraine leader's home city, children among dead

Russian strike on Ukraine leader's home city kills four

MILPLEX
Germany says adding explosive drones to weapons arsenal

US to deploy large surveillance drones to Japan's Okinawa

NASA Makes Progress on Advanced Drone Safety Management System

UK vows funding to boost drone and 'flying taxi' services

MILPLEX
Trace wins major Army network contracts worth $373M

Senator questions canceling planned military satellites in favor of SpaceX

Skyloom completes OCT hardware deliveries for SDA York mission

SES and SpeQtral join forces to enable secure quantum communications across continents

MILPLEX
Finland to leave anti-personnel mine treaty

Trump nominee says to press UK on Israel arms

Three of four US soldiers missing in Lithuania found dead

Federal officers in LA seize more than 1,000 replica guns at LAX so far in 2025

MILPLEX
Can NATO agree a deal on spending that satisfies Trump?

Japan, NATO pledge increased defense cooperation to counter Russia, China

NATO chief says China military expansion 'staggering'

Poland aims to 'get closer' to 5% GDP defence spending next year

MILPLEX
US may pull 10,000 troops from eastern Europe

Macron calls for 'strong action' if Russia continues to 'refuse peace'

Pentagon chief fires US military representative to NATO

During Japan trip, NATO chief warns of Chinese military expansion

MILPLEX
Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.