China fires back at NATO\`s claims_ says it won\`t sit back

China fired back on Tuesday over allegations against China from a  communiqué released after the conclusion of the NATO summit and warned that it would not sit back if any others pose systemic challenges to it_ and it will closely watch NATO's strategic adjustments toward China. 

Responding to NATO leaders' tough stance on China in a communiqué_ the Chinese Mission to the European Union (EU) spokesperson said on Tuesday that China will not present "systemic challenges" to others.

NATO's claims have slandered China's peaceful development_ misjudged the international situation and its own role_ and continued the Cold War mentality mixed with group politics_ said the Mission_ firing back at the remarks in the communiqué signed off in Brussels by leaders from the 30 members in the alliance at the urging of the new Biden administration.

NATO leaders said in the communiqué released after the NATO meeting on Monday that "China's stated ambitions and assertive behavior present systemic challenges to the rules-based international order and to areas relevant to alliance security." It also accused China of rapidly expanding its nuclear power_ and being opaque about its military modernization.

In response_ the Mission said China has always pursued a defensive national defense policy_ and has kept its military modernization legitimate_ open and transparent.

"In 2021_ China's defense budget is 1.35 trillion yuan ($209 billion) accounting for 1.3 percent of the nation's GDP_ which is less than NATO's 'pass line'_" the Mission spokesperson said. "In contrast_ the 30-member NATO alliance has a total military spending as high as $1.17 trillion_ making up over half of the global sum and 5.6 times that of China."

"It is crystal clear to the world whose military bases stretch all over the world_ and whose aircraft carriers are wandering around to flex their military muscle."

As for nuclear weapons_ the number of nuclear warheads among NATO members is nearly 20 times that of China_ according to statistics from think tanks in Sweden and the US_ the Mission noted_ questioning if NATO could make the same commitment as China who has abided by the "no first use" principle of nuclear weapons at any time or under any circumstances_ and committed to unconditionally not using or threatening to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states or zones.

"China has been committed to peaceful development_ but will never forget the tragedy of the bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Yugoslavia_ nor the sacrifices of our compatriots' homes and lives_" the Mission stressed. "We will unswervingly defend our sovereignty and development interests_ and keep a close eye on NATO's strategic adjustments and policies toward China."

China will not pose any "systemic challenges" to others_ but will not sit idly in the face of any systemic challenges_ the Mission said.

It urged NATO to maintain a rational attitude on viewing China's development_ and stop the hyping of various forms of the "China threat theory" and using China's legitimate rights as excuses for manipulating group politics_ creating confrontations or stimulating Geo-competition.