Foreign and Military Affairs

China says it will continue exchanges with NATO

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-02-09 21:14

BEIJING: China said on Tuesday that it would continue to conduct exchanges with NATO "based on a new security outlook".

"China has made some contact with NATO in recent years, and will continue to carry out exchanges with NATO at corresponding levels based on a new security outlook featuring mutual trust, equality and mutual benefit," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu at a regular news briefing.

Ma's remarks came after NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen called on the North Atlantic alliance to turn itself into a global security forum with increased ties with China, India and other rising world powers.

Rasmussen told the annual Munich Security Conference on Sunday that the time has come to "turn NATO into a forum for consultation on worldwide security issues."

"NATO has been moving toward transformation in recent years, and is considering the adoption of a new strategic concept," said Ma. "We hope NATO's transformation and adjustment will benefit peace and stability in the region and the world."

At this year's Munich Security Conference, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi was invited to participate and make a speech.

Yang thus became the first Chinese top diplomat to attend the conference, a transatlantic forum mainly attended by representatives from European and American countries.