NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called China an emerging power – economically and militarily.
His comments came Friday during an interview with Maria Bartiromo on the Fox Business Network.
"China is a rising power, with a growing economy, investing heavily in new military capabilities," he said. And also seeing that China is coming closer to Europe – to NATO allies in Europe in cyberspace, in the Arctic, in the Mediterranean."
Stoltenberg met with President Donald Trump on Tuesday to discuss making NATO a fair alliance. Trump has voiced concerns over alliance members not paying their fair shares, Fox Business noted.
"What we have seen is that the clear message from President Trump on defense spending on burden sharing is having a real impact," he said.
Stoltenberg said European allies, and Canada, have added $41 billion to the NATO defense budget since 2016. By the end of next year that figure will increase to $100 billion, according to Fox Business.
“So, this is making NATO stronger,” he said.
In an address to Congress on Wednesday, Stoltenberg warned the of the threat posed by “a more assertive Russia" to the alliance.
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