Q: On January 10, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, President of the European Council Charles Michel, and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen signed a new Joint Declaration on EU-NATO Cooperation, which claims that China’s growing assertiveness and policies present challenges that they need to address. What is China’s comment on this?

A: The Joint Declaration on EU-NATO Cooperation, the first public statement of the EU and NATO’s shared stance on China in an official document, reveals their arrogance and prejudice against China. We firmly reject the unreasonable accusation against China and stand against the Cold War mentality advocated by the declaration.

The most important message of the recent 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is China’s commitment to pursuing an independent foreign policy of peace and a defensive national defense policy. China’s development strengthens the world’s forces for peace. No matter what stage of development it reaches, China will never seek hegemony or engage in expansionism. The inclusion of peaceful development in its Constitution and the Constitution of the CPC is a solemn commitment China makes to the world. Among major countries, China has the best track record in global peace and security. Over the past 70 years since its founding, China has never provoked a war, invaded another country’s land, joined or formed any military blocs. We never export ideology, interfere in others’ internal affairs, make troubles at the doorstep of other countries, nor do we start trade wars or exercise long-arm jurisdiction. China’s capacity to defend its sovereignty, dignity, and core interests has grown as a result of its development. This is what development is all about and should not be seen as assertive. It needs to be stressed that we will not provoke troubles, but we will never flinch when trouble comes our way. No one should expect us to swallow a bitter pill when our sovereignty, security and development interests are compromised. For China, the fundamental purpose of development is to enable the 1.4 billion people to live a good life. We have no intention to threaten or replace any country, still less present challenges to any country or organization.

We firmly stand against the forming of exclusive blocs that harms China’s interests and comes at a cost of relations with China. We strongly oppose using ideological differences as an excuse to divide the international community into confronting camps. When the world faces severe challenges of climate change, terrorism, proliferation of weapons, and refugee and migrant crisis, the only right way forward is to put aside geopolitical and ideological differences and work hand in hand. We hope that NATO and the EU abandon the Cold War mentality, view China’s development rationally and objectively based on facts, and contribute more to regional and world peace and stability.