NATO's new policy will include cybersecurity and terrorism, as well as China

Bratislava: – NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg appealed that it is necessary to change NATO policies drafted in the last decade, and the inclusion of cybersecurity, terrorism and China are required in the new policy. Even in the previous month, Stoltenberg had mentioned the perceived threat from China, during a function, and had indicated that NATO would become active against China. During a meeting organised by a European study group, Canada, a NATO member, also made a statement that NATO needs to keep a proper watch on the Chinese activities in the South China Sea.

The study group GLOBSEC organised a meeting in the Slovakian capital of Bratislava. During the meeting, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg indicated that changes have been initiated in the NATO policies by referring to the statements made in the last year by the French President. French President Emmanuel Macron had criticised that the NATO front had become brain dead. Stoltenberg clarified that NATO would focus on the new challenges by saying, ‘Following the controversial statement by the French President, NATO has initiated the process of changes in its policies. NATO will be making major changes in its future policies. The fundamental concepts are rapidly changing in the world. Therefore, there is a need to formulate a concept for the new NATO policies.’

While referring to the new NATO policy as NATO 2030, the NATO Secretary-General said that it would include cybersecurity, terrorism and China. Stoltenberg said, ‘The balance of power struggle has started changing with the rise of China, and NATO needs to take cognisance of the fact.’ At the same time, he also mentioned the challenges created by this, as well as the increasing terrorist activities in the Gulf and African countries. This is the second instance of the NATO Chief mentioning China, while speaking about the challenges faced by NATO, in a month. Last month, the NATO Chief had pointed out that the NATO front against China can prove to be decisive, during a meeting, organised by the think tank, Centre for European Policy Analysis. At the same time, the NATO chief also pointed out that there is a need to expand NATO to counter China, and increasing cooperation with the like-minded countries from other parts of the world will prove vital.

Meanwhile, it was evident in the Bratislava meeting that the other NATO members also have started taking an aggressive stand on the China issue. Canada, a leading NATO country, appealed that there is a need to keep a close watch on the Chinese activities in the South China Sea. Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said that the Chinese actions in the South China Sea are a threat from a security point of view, and NATO must keep an eye on these activities. A few days ago, it was also revealed that Canada had sent its warship to the South China Sea.