NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has raised alarm over China’s military buildup and ongoing drills near Taiwan, urging allied nations to work together to secure open sea lanes in the Indo-Pacific.
Speaking Tuesday at the Japanese navy port of Yokosuka, Rutte noted China’s ongoing support of Russia’s war efforts and its armed forces’ rapid expansion. “We cannot be naive, and we really have to work together, assess what is happening,” the alliance chief said.
According to Rutte, NATO is closely monitoring the activities near self-governed Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory. He also acknowledged Washington’s push for more NATO involvement in the region and welcomed U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s visit to Japan, which signaled America’s commitment to its regional alliances.
In his first visit to Japan since assuming the NATO lead role in October, Rutte met with Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and expressed concern over increased military cooperation and exercises by China, North Korea and Russia. He pointed out that the actions undermine global security and create interconnected implications between the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions.
Meanwhile, Nakatani shared Japan’s interest in joining NATO’s Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine mission to enhance its security cooperation with the alliance. While the details of participation are under discussion, Tokyo’s involvement is reportedly expected to align with its post-World War II pacifist principles and will exclude combat roles.
Rutte is set to meet next with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who is an advocate for a NATO-like security framework in Asia.