China blasted NATO as an "abuser of international law" and invoked a painful, decades-old episode after being pressed by the alliance to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The sharp response from the Chinese diplomatic mission to the European Union came after NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said China has an "obligation" to condemn the three-week-old invasion. In a statement, the Chinese mission recalled NATO's 1999 bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade that killed three Chinese journalists.
"We need no lecture on justice from the abuser of international law," the mission said. "As a Cold War remnant and the world's largest military alliance, NATO continues to expand its geographical scope and range of operations. What kind of role has it played in world peace and stability? NATO needs to have good reflection."
The 1999 bombing, which came as NATO sought to drive Yugoslavian forces out of Kosovo, was carried out by the United States. Then-President Bill Clinton apologized for the fact that the embassy was accidentally hit by five missiles. China called it a "barbarian act" at the time, and Thursday's statement showed Beijing's anger remains.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/...-embassy-bombing-when-asked-to-condemn-russia
The sharp response from the Chinese diplomatic mission to the European Union came after NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said China has an "obligation" to condemn the three-week-old invasion. In a statement, the Chinese mission recalled NATO's 1999 bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade that killed three Chinese journalists.
"We need no lecture on justice from the abuser of international law," the mission said. "As a Cold War remnant and the world's largest military alliance, NATO continues to expand its geographical scope and range of operations. What kind of role has it played in world peace and stability? NATO needs to have good reflection."
The 1999 bombing, which came as NATO sought to drive Yugoslavian forces out of Kosovo, was carried out by the United States. Then-President Bill Clinton apologized for the fact that the embassy was accidentally hit by five missiles. China called it a "barbarian act" at the time, and Thursday's statement showed Beijing's anger remains.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/...-embassy-bombing-when-asked-to-condemn-russia