Jens Stoltenberg on China: The balance of power is changing

The world's largest defense budget and soon the world's largest economy.

This, combined with Xi Jinping's warning Joe Biden to "play with fire" on the issue of Taiwan, is raising global concerns about China.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg shares the concern and believes that dialogue is the only way forward.

- We want to talk to China, about the climate issue or about disarmament control, he says to the Foreign Office.

No enemy

Although Stoltenberg believes that China affects the security situation in the world, he sees no immediate risk of a military conflict.

- We do not see China as an enemy and there is no immediate danger of a military attack from China.

But the fact that China is growing both militarily and economically means that the balance of power is changing.

At the same time, Stoltenberg believes that there are other threats from China than the military.

- We have seen how China has tried to influence political processes in both Sweden and Norway.

This indicates that China is gaining more and more economic and military muscle and this is affecting our security.

Hotar Taiwan

Something that has attracted a lot of attention lately is the conflict between China and Taiwan.

China and Xi Jinping have said that Taiwan will never become independent, but on the contrary will be reunited with China, even if it requires a military attack.

Jens Stoltenberg believes that NATO must do everything possible to dampen tensions between the countries.

- China has on several occasions threatened Taiwan in recent months.

We must make sure to lower the tone and seek talks to avoid a military conflict.

Click on the clip to hear more from Jens Stoltenberg and see more in the Foreign Office: Vinnarskallen, tonight on SVT play from 19.30 or in SVT2 21.45.