China opposes NATO interference in Asian affairs, Germany warns of consequences of any escalation in Taiwan

China reiterated its opposition to what it called NATO interference in Asia-Pacific affairs, and announced that its defense minister would go to Moscow next Sunday, while Germany warned of the consequences of any escalation in Taiwan and stressed Europe's rejection of any unilateral change in the island's status.

Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Colonel Tan Ke Fei expressed his country's strong opposition to NATO's interference in Asia-Pacific affairs, noting that the alliance is using what it claims are "challenges" posed by China as a pretext to create an Asian version of NATO.

"We strongly oppose NATO's interference in Asia-Pacific affairs through the so-called 'China Challenge' and the creation of the 'Asia-Pacific version of NATO'," he said.

He added that NATO has consistently gone beyond traditional defense zones and areas, seeking to strengthen military security relations with Asia-Pacific countries, deliberately provoking contradictions and differences, calling for confrontation between camps, creating regional tensions, and imposing real challenges and threats to the region and to global peace and stability.

For her part, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said from the Chinese capital Beijing that any military escalation in the Taiwan Strait would constitute a catastrophic scenario for the whole world, especially since 50% of global trade passes through it.

Baerbock, at a joint press conference with her Chinese counterpart Chen Gang, also warned the Chinese side against the use of military force against Taiwan. She said any unilateral change would not be acceptable to Europeans.

Flight ban

China said it had issued related warrants on the risk of debris falling near Taiwan over the weekend following a satellite launch, denying Taipei's claims that a no-fly zone would be imposed in the north of the island, Bloomberg news agency reported.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a regular briefing in Beijing on Friday that "it is not accurate that we have declared a no-fly zone," describing the issuance of memos on space activities as "responsible action to ensure flight safety."

Taiwanese authorities had earlier said China planned to impose a no-fly zone that includes many international airline routes, from 09:30 a.m. to 09:57 a.m. local time on Sunday, for "space activities."

Taiwan officials said the airspace closure was tentatively scheduled for three days, which would have conflicted with the April 3-16 meeting of Group of Seven foreign ministers in Karuizawa, Japan. It is likely that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken would have had to fly in the region for the meeting, coming from a visit to Vietnam.