live Iran and Israel escalate military action following Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s death
Follow the latest developments and global reaction after the U.S. and Israel launched “major combat operations” in Iran, prompting reta...
China’s Foreign Ministry has sharply criticised NATO for inflating military spending and interfering in Asia-Pacific affairs, rejecting claims that China supports Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
China accused NATO of inflaming international tensions and misrepresenting its military policy in a firm response to comments made by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. At a regular press conference on Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun denounced NATO’s call for increased military investment and its growing presence beyond Europe.
"Some in NATO, by playing up international and regional tensions and slandering China’s normal military buildup, seek nothing but excuses to allow NATO to drastically grow its military spending," Guo said.
He criticised the alliance for pushing defence investment to 5 percent of GDP under the banner of building a "more lethal NATO", questioning its true objective and accusing it of overstepping its geographic mandate.
Despite being a regional alliance under international law, Guo noted, NATO continues to assert that developments in the Asia-Pacific are linked to Euro-Atlantic security, allowing it to justify expanding its reach eastward.
"NATO countries already account for 55 percent of the world’s total military spending in 2024. Yet they’re still required to raise defence investment. The world is not blind to NATO’s calculations, and countries in the Asia-Pacific are certainly wary of it," he added.
Guo also rejected accusations that China is backing Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine. He said China has consistently promoted peace talks, has never supplied weapons to either side, and maintains tight control over dual-use exports.
“China’s objective and impartial position and constructive role have been widely recognised by the international community, while NATO’s disinformation cannot deceive people around the world,” he stated.
Guo urged NATO to reconsider its approach, abandon Cold War thinking, and stop fuelling global confrontation. He stressed China’s commitment to sovereignty and peace, describing the country as “a builder of world peace” with a responsible international track record.
“Time for NATO to get its perception right about China and stop manipulating issues on China. China will firmly uphold sovereignty, security, and development interests,” Guo concluded.
Follow the latest developments and global reaction after the U.S. and Israel launched “major combat operations” in Iran, prompting retaliation from Tehran.
Tensions between the U.S. and Iran are escalating, with Washington ordering a significant military build-up in the region and multiple countries evacuating diplomatic staff amid fears of further instability.
Governments across the region responded swiftly to Israel’s strikes on Iran, closing airspace, issuing travel advisories and activating contingency plans amid fears of escalation.
Two people were killed and around 40 injured when a tram derailed in central Milan on Friday (27 February), a spokesperson for the local fire service said.
A senior Iranian official has warned Israel to “prepare for what is coming”, insisting that Tehran’s response to the latest escalation in the Middle East will be made openly and without limits.
Protests broke out in Pakistan and Iraq on Sunday after Iranian state media confirmed that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed in joint U.S.–Israeli strikes. At least nine people were reported dead in clashes near the U.S. consulate in Karachi.
Afghanistan said it had fired at Pakistani aircraft over Kabul after explosions and gunfire rocked the capital early on Sunday, marking a sharp escalation in fighting between the two neighbours.
A senior Iranian official has warned Israel to “prepare for what is coming”, insisting that Tehran’s response to the latest escalation in the Middle East will be made openly and without limits.
Cuba has released extensive details of a deadly midweek shootout at sea, showing rifles, pistols and nearly 13,000 rounds of ammunition that it says were carried by a group of exiles who attempted to enter the island by speedboat.
Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers said on Friday (27 February) they were ready to negotiate after Pakistan bombed their forces in several Afghan cities, including Kabul and Kandahar, and Islamabad declared the neighbours were now in "open war".
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