NATO: Allies concerned about Taiwan amid China's military buildup

The Hague, June 23 (CNA) North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Mark Rutte has expressed concern about Taiwan's situation amid China's "massive military build-up" ahead of the latest NATO summit in The Hague.

Speaking at a press conference Monday, Rutte said countries with close ties to NATO such as Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand are also concerned, given that three to five Chinese defense companies now rank among the world's top 10, unlike a few years ago when none were on the list.

"Of course, they don't do this only because they want to have nice parades in Beijing," he said.

Referring to the worst-case scenario in which the United States, under the Taiwan Relations Act, is obliged to support or even defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack, Rutte said that NATO, as an alliance, has no "opt-out" option.

The Chinese, however, will make sure that their partner Russia "keeps us busy here [in Europe]" if they "try anything with Taiwan," he said.

"That is one of the reasons why we have to stand ready, and we cannot be naive," he said, adding that "extra defense spending is important."

Rutte said allies will reach the 2014 benchmark of investing 2 percent of GDP in defense this year, but a new baseline of 5 percent of GDP will be introduced at the summit.

Regarding the situation in Iran, Rutte said NATO allies have "long agreed that Iran must not develop a nuclear weapon" and that they have "repeatedly urged Iran to meet its obligations under the non-proliferation treaty."

He also said NATO's "support for Ukraine is unwavering and will persist," adding that European and Canadian allies have pledged over 35 billion euros of additional security assistance to Ukraine for the year ahead.