[Global Network Report] According to Japan's "Sankei Shimbun", NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who visited Japan, inspected the Air Self-Defense Force Iruma Base in Saitama Prefecture on January 31. In his speech, he thanked Japan for its support to Ukraine. assistance.

　　According to reports, in about an hour, Stoltenberg watched the C-2 transport plane, F-15J fighter jet, "Patriot"-3 air defense missile system and other equipment, and listened to the self-defense team's explanation.

During the inspection, Stoltenberg also sat in the cockpit of an F-2 fighter jet.

The F-2 fighter jet, jointly developed by Japan and the United States, is one of the main models in active service of the Air Self-Defense Force.

　　According to TV Asahi, Stoltenberg told the Self-Defense Forces during his speech that the C-2 transport plane "played an extremely important role in supporting Ukraine. Thank you for the support from Japan."

The C-2 transport plane delivered bulletproof vests and other Japanese aid to Ukraine.

He also said that NATO and Japan "need to establish a strong cooperative relationship."

　　Stoltenberg started his visit to Japan on January 30. On January 31, he also held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the Prime Minister's Residence.

According to the news released by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kishida conveyed to Stoltenberg that the Japanese government plans to establish an independent permanent delegation to NATO to regularly participate in the "North Atlantic Council" meetings.

Kishida also reported to the other party the three new Japanese national security strategy documents finalized in December last year, and Stoltenberg welcomed the shift in Japan's security policy.

　　Stoltenberg's visit to Japan and South Korea has attracted attention from the outside world.

"U.S. News & World Report" stated that the purpose of Stoltenberg's trip to Asia is to strengthen NATO's relationship with its Asian allies and partners in the face of the increasingly severe conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the "China challenge".

According to the report, he also previously claimed that while NATO's focus remains on Europe, "we need to address global threats and challenges, including those from China, by working more closely with our partners in the region."

Agence France-Presse stated that Stoltenberg talked about the "China challenge" when he gave a speech at a research institute in Seoul on the morning of January 30.

　　Regarding NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg's talk about the "China challenge", Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded at a press conference on January 30, saying that China is a cooperative partner of all countries in the world, and we do not threaten the interests of any country. .

Mao Ning said that NATO should abandon the Cold War mentality and the concept of confrontation between camps, and do more things that are beneficial to the security and stability of Europe and the world.

We hope that countries in the region will stick to the right path of Asia-Pacific cooperation and play a constructive role in maintaining and promoting world peace, stability, development and prosperity.

　　Lu Xiang, an expert on American issues at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said in an interview with a reporter from the Global Times on January 30 that NATO is a military organization led by the United States and actually represents the interests of the United States.

Stoltenberg's words and deeds clearly show that his visit to Japan and South Korea is to help the United States promote the implementation of the so-called "Indo-Pacific strategy".

　　(Source: World Wide Web)