Rutte stated that NATO cannot be 'naive' regarding China's militarization.

Mark Rutte emphasized that China's military buildup and Russia's support for the war in Ukraine should not be overlooked, calling on NATO members to work together.

In a statement on Tuesday, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed concern about China's military buildup and exercises near Taiwan, and urged the 32 alliance members to work together to keep sea routes in the region free and open. Speaking to journalists during his first visit to Japan since taking office, Rutte said, "China supports Russia's efforts. China is rapidly developing its armed forces, including its navy." The NATO chief, speaking from the Yokosuka port of the Japanese navy, stated, "We can't be naïve, and we really need to work together to assess what is happening." Rutte's comments came after a meeting last week where NATO foreign ministers gathered, and the alliance head emphasized that global security threats are more interconnected than ever and that increasing defense spending is key to ensuring NATO's security. "We see what China is doing. We see the reality that the Russians are working together with North Koreans, the Chinese, and the Iranians, and how these two areas, the Pacific and the Euro-Atlantic, are becoming increasingly interconnected. Therefore, we should look at all these areas together, and that will be our focus," he said. The former Dutch prime minister also mentioned NATO's concerns about China's military exercises near Taiwan, stating, "We are closely monitoring these." Japan views China as a threat in the region and has increased its military buildup, including preparing to gain the ability to strike back with long-range cruise missiles. Japan has expanded defense ties with the U.S., as well as other friendly countries in the Indo-Pacific and Europe, highlighting that the risks of Russia's war in Ukraine are inseparable from security risks in Europe and Asia. Rutte said the U.S. wants NATO members to engage more in the Indo-Pacific region. He welcomed U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's recent visit to Japan to reaffirm Washington's commitment to strengthen its alliance with Japan and its presence in the region. He emphasized the significance of Japan being the only non-NATO G7 member. NATO has also strengthened its ties in recent years with Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand, known as the IP4. This move has been criticized by Beijing, which fears that Washington is attempting to establish a NATO-like alliance in the region.