Ankara: The 36th NATO summit concluded last week in Ankara, bringing renewed focus on the alliance's strategic stance toward China. Experts suggest that NATO's current approach should involve seeking strategic stability with China rather than opting for confrontation or sanctions. Despite the growing consensus within Europe and the United States recognizing China as a long-term strategic competitor, analysts argue that the transatlantic differences are more tactical than strategic.

According to Anadolu Agency, Henry Wang, founder of the Center for China and Globalization, noted that the summit's six-point declaration did not explicitly label China as a rival, a move he considered positive. However, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte highlighted concerns over China's military developments, especially following the recent test of an intercontinental ballistic missile by Beijing. Rutte stressed the importance of not being naive about China's military buildup and engaged with NATO's Indo-Pacific partners, known as the IP4-Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea.

Jingdong Yuan from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute emphasized that China is less worried about NATO's increased defense spending if it primarily targets Russia and supports Ukraine. Meanwhile, Einar Tangen, a longtime China analyst, observed that transatlantic differences remain tactical. While Europe and the US increasingly agree on China's strategic competition, the question remains whether this consensus can withstand economic pressures.

NATO's activities beyond Europe, such as its expanding partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, have drawn criticism from Beijing. In response to the summit, China urged NATO to abandon its "Cold War mentality" and revise its perception of China. Tangen asserted that China views NATO's growing presence in Asia as a strategic error and believes Asian security should be managed by regional countries rather than NATO. He also expressed concerns that NATO's global mission expansion aims to conceal its structural weaknesses.

The debate over defense spending and its implications for industrial ecosystems was another focal point. Tangen pointed out that higher defense spending could either exacerbate debt issues or divert resources from essential social and economic needs. He argued that industrial capacity, innovation, and strategic resource control will ultimately determine military power more effectively than mere spending increases.

Lastly, the summit highlighted internal NATO disagreements over issues like Greenland and defense spending. Wang emphasized the importance of fostering strategic stability with China, as demonstrated by Trump's recent visit to China, where a constructive relationship with President Xi Jinping was pledged. Wang suggested that NATO should follow this approach to ensure long-term stability and cooperation.