At their annual summit in Brussels on Monday, a communique signed by leaders of the 30-member alliance at the urging of the new US administration, said China’s stated ambitions and assertive behavior present systemic challenges to the rules-based international order.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg linked this to China's growing military strength and its tougher stance on many international issues. He said NATO leaders are concerned by China’s coercive policies which stand in contrast to the fundamental values enshrined in the Washington Treaty. China is rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal with more warheads and a larger number of sophisticated delivery systems, he added.

NATO leaders continue to see Russia as an adversary that poses many large challenges. They agreed a NATO 2030 agenda to strengthen political consultations, reinforce collective defense, enhance NATO’s resilience, sharpen NATO’s technological edge, uphold the rules-based international order, step up training and capacity building for partners, and address the security impact of climate change.