Overview

• NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte described China's military expansion as 'staggering' during his visit to Japan, highlighting its rapid naval buildup and defense investments.
• Rutte called for enhanced collaboration between NATO and Asia-Pacific partners, including Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand, to counter emerging security challenges.
• He stressed the importance of moving beyond declarations to implement practical defense measures, such as information-sharing and defense-industrial cooperation.
• The NATO chief underscored the interconnected nature of global security, citing China's support for Russia and military drills near Taiwan as threats to stability in both the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions.
• Japan, responding to regional tensions, is accelerating its military buildup and strengthening defense ties with NATO and other Western allies.