South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin (right) met with visiting NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg (left) on the 29th. Both sides agreed that South Korea and NATO countries share the same values ​​and should deepen cooperation.

(AFP)

Asia tour launched in response to Ukrainian-Russian war, China threat

[Compilation of Sun Yuqing/Comprehensive Report] North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary-General Stoltenberg has visited South Korea and Japan successively since the 29th. Under the general environment of the inextricable war between Ukraine and Russia and the increasing challenges from China, he will strengthen the relationship with the two major Asian countries. relations with democracies.

He also stated in an exclusive interview with Korean media that the troubles in Asia and the entire "Indo-Pacific" region are crucial to Europe and NATO, and vice versa.

Asia, Indo-Pacific Changes Relations Europe and NATO

In an exclusive interview with Yonhap News Agency, Stoltenberg pointed out that he firmly believes that the partnership between South Korea and NATO should be deepened, because security affairs are increasingly interrelated, and changes in Asia and the Indo-Pacific region are related to Europe and NATO. For example, the Russian mercenary organization Wagner Group North Korea poses a threat not only to the Indo-Pacific, but also to the world in terms of accepting supplies of ammunition and missiles from North Korea, "We must respond to global threats and challenges, including those posed by China, and one of the ways is to be closer to our regional partners cooperate".

Please read on...

Stoltenberg also bluntly said that the long-range missiles and nuclear forces that can reach the territory of all NATO member states have been significantly expanded, and he hopes to strengthen cooperation with South Korea in the fields of cyber threats, military control, and technology.

The analysis pointed out that Stoltenberg's visit to Japan and South Korea when the Ukrainian-Russian War was in full swing may be because he realized that China's influence is gradually expanding.

According to a Reuters report, Stoltenberg arrived in South Korea on the 29th and told South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin during the talks that NATO members and South Korea share "common values"; National solidarity and cooperation are more important than ever.

Stoltenberg is also expected to meet with President Yoon Seok-yue and Defense Minister Lee Jong-sub, and will transfer to Japan on the 30th to meet Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and other officials.

The USS Nimitz strike group recently returned to the South China Sea

At the same time, the U.S. military continues to deploy in the Indo-Pacific. The Navy's "Nimitz" aircraft strike group has recently returned to the South China Sea to perform missions, including MH-60 "Sea Hawk" helicopters and F/A-18 "Hornet" "fighter.

Commander Christopher Sweeney told Reuters the cruise was aimed at fulfilling a commitment to maintaining freedom of movement in the waters and airspace of the South China Sea, "sailing and operating with our regional allies and partners to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific for commerce and trade." ".

In addition, the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC), a bipartisan advisory body under the U.S. Congress, recently held a five-hour hearing on China’s military diplomacy and overseas security activities. One of the focuses was China’s attempt to seize Taiwan by force. .

Richard Weitz, director of the Center for Political and Military Analysis at the think tank "Hudson Institute", warned that China and Russia's exercise of naval blockade and amphibious landing should help China invade Taiwan.

Although the Russian army is currently suffering heavy losses, China can still learn combat skills such as anti-submarine warfare, joint air-ground operations, and joint command and control from the Russian army.