On Sept 23, 2021, Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN, speaks at a Security Council debate at the UN headquarters in New York. WANG YING XINHUA UNITED NATIONS - China's permanent representative to the United Nations on Tuesday urged NATO not to fan bloc confrontation or a new Cold War by using the Ukraine crisis as an excuse.
The Ukraine crisis has once again sounded the alarm for the world, according to Zhang Jun at the UN Security Council briefing on Ukraine. Security is indivisible. A blind faith in the position of strength, the expansion of military alliance, and the pursuit of one's own security at the expense of the security of other countries will lead to security dilemmas. Zhang noted that NATO's five eastward expansions after the Cold War have not only failed to make Europe securer, but they also sowed the seed of conflict, a lesson worth reflecting on.
The Cold War ended a long time ago. He said that it is necessary for NATO to reconsider its positioning and its responsibilities, to completely abandon the Cold War mentality that is based on bloc confrontation and to build a balanced, effective, and sustainable European security framework in line with the principle of indivisible security.
China pays close attention to NATO's strategic adjustment and is deeply concerned about the policy implications of its so-called Strategic Concept, the envoy said.
ALSO READ: Uncovering secrets of NATO: A remnant from Cold War days.
Citing that certain NATO leaders have recently painted other countries as a threat, Zhang underscored the fact that NATO itself has made troubles in different parts of the world.
He said that NATO should learn its lessons, not to use the Ukraine crisis as an excuse to stoke a new Cold War, and not to look for imaginary enemies in the Asia Pacific or artificially create contradictions and divisions.
Zhang stated that China strongly opposes certain elements clamoring for NATO's involvement in the Asia Pacific, or an Asia Pacific version of NATO, on the back of military alliances.
The long-outdated Cold War script must never be reacted in the Asia Pacific. He said that the kind of turmoil and conflict that are affecting parts of the world must not happen in the Asia Pacific.
Asia Pacific countries share the appreciation of peace and prosperity, and the desire to focus on mutually beneficial cooperation in pursuit of common development and revitalization. He said that any attempt to go against the tide of history is doomed to fail.
The continuation of the Ukraine crisis is regrettable and worrying, and he emphasizes that dialogue and negotiation is the only viable way to restore and consolidate peace.
China has joined all peace-loving countries in calling for a ceasefire. He said that we have been committed to promoting peace talks and making constant efforts to de-escalate the situation, restore peace, mitigate the humanitarian situation, and stabilize the global economy.
China supports direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, and also welcomes the UN secretary-general's good offices on issues including grain export, said Zhang.