China’s Taiwan INVASION Risk Grows!

NATO’s recent heightened focus on China’s military expansion raises alarm about the growing threat to Taiwan and the broader regional security dynamics.

At a Glance

• NATO warns of an increasing risk of conflict over Taiwan due to China’s massive military buildup.
• Secretary General Mark Rutte says China could encourage Russia to create diversions in Europe if it moves against Taiwan.
• Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand are aligning more closely with NATO over shared security concerns.
• NATO leaders are set to discuss a new defense spending benchmark of 5% of GDP at their summit in The Hague.

NATO Raises the Alarm Over China’s Military Expansion

As China’s military strength continues to grow at an alarming rate, NATO has voiced grave concerns regarding the consequences for Taiwan and global stability. Speaking ahead of a major NATO summit in The Hague, Secretary General Mark Rutte delivered a stark warning about Beijing’s military ambitions.

“We know that out of the 10 biggest defence companies… you will find three to five Chinese defence companies in the top 10,” Rutte stated, according to The Independent. “Of course, they don’t do this only because they want to have nice parades in Beijing. I guess it’s there for a reason.” He added that this buildup increases the risk of a conflict surrounding Taiwan and directly links security in Europe with that of the Indo-Pacific.

The Russia-China Connection and Taiwan

The Chinese Communist Party has long claimed sovereignty over the democratic island of Taiwan and has intensified its military intimidation in recent years. In just the last week, Taiwan detected dozens of Chinese military aircraft and naval vessels near the island. Rutte warned of a potential “worst-case scenario” where China collaborates with Russia to divide the alliance’s focus.

He suggested there is a “real possibility” that if China were to “try anything with Taiwan,” it would ensure its partner Russia “keeps us busy here in Europe.” This potential for a two-front crisis for the West “is one of the reasons why we have to stand ready, and we cannot be naive,” Rutte added.

Global Alliances and Increased Spending

In response to China’s growing military presence, key Indo-Pacific partners—Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand (also known as the IP4)—are coordinating more closely with NATO. Rutte confirmed this alignment is “exactly for the reason that these countries are very, very worried about the massive military buildup in China.”

To counter these expanding threats, NATO leaders are set to formally agree on a new, more ambitious defense spending target. As reported by Breaking Defense, the proposal introduces a new baseline of 5% of GDP to be invested in defense, a “quantum leap” from the long-standing 2% target. “The threats we face today demand that we do far, far more to ensure we can effectively deter and defend,” Rutte explained. The new target, to be rolled out alongside a major push to ramp up the defense industry, is aimed at presenting a formidable deterrent to any aggressor.