The German supply ship Frankfurt am Main participates in the Indo-Pacific deployment operation.
参加印太部署行动的德国“法兰克福”号补给舰。
By Xu Shiwei and Sui Changquan
徐世伟、隋长权
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has been hyping up security threats in the Asia-Pacific region in various forums, advocating for strengthening partnerships with countries such as Japan, the ROK, New Zealand, and Australia.
近段时间，北约秘书长斯托尔滕贝格在多个场合渲染亚太地区安全威胁，鼓吹要强化与日本、韩国、新西兰和澳大利亚等亚太国家的伙伴关系。
On May 30, Stoltenberg participated in the 19th Jeju Forum in the ROK via video link for the first time and stressed that the ROK, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand are NATO's closest partners. He expressed the desire to continuously deepen practical cooperation in areas such as cyber defense, combating misinformation, and emerging technologies. On May 31, after the informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers, Stoltenberg publicly stated that NATO as well as Japan, the ROK, Australia, and New Zealand faced common security threats and that he looked forward to developing partnerships with these countries. He believed that Asian countries could influence the European landscape amid regional conflicts in Europe.
5月30日，斯托尔滕贝格以线上会议形式首次参加韩国第十九届济州论坛，强调韩国、日本、澳大利亚和新西兰是北约最亲密的伙伴，表示要在网络防御、打击虚假信息和新兴技术等领域持续深化务实合作。5月31日，斯托尔滕贝格在北约外长非正式会议结束后公然表示，北约与日本、韩国、澳大利亚和新西兰面临共同安全威胁，期待与日韩澳新等国发展伙伴关系。他认为，在欧洲局部冲突中，亚洲国家能够影响欧洲格局。
In recent years, NATO has been focusing on Japan, the ROK, Australia, and New Zealand through its "partner countries" mechanism, strategically expanding its presence in the Asia-Pacific region from multiple dimensions including political and military aspects.
近年来，北约通过“伙伴国”关系机制，以日、韩、澳、新为重点，从政治、军事等多个维度布局亚太地区。
In terms of strategic guidance, NATO proposed a new strategic concept at the NATO Summit in Madrid in June 2022, stating that it would enhance dialogue and cooperation with Asia-Pacific partners to address cross-regional challenges and ensure common security interests. It also formally established a strategic direction of entering the Asia-Pacific.
战略指导上，2022年6月，北约在马德里峰会上提出新的战略概念，指出将加强与亚太地区伙伴的对话合作，以应对跨区域挑战、确保共同安全利益，正式确立进军亚太的战略方向。
In terms of cooperation mechanisms, NATO and relevant Asia-Pacific countries have organized regular high-level meetings including foreign ministers' meetings, defense ministers' meetings, and NATO summits. They also plan to open the first liaison office in Asia this year in Tokyo to facilitate regular consultations between the parties.
合作机制上，北约与亚太相关国家通过外长会议、国防部长会议、北约峰会等实现高层定期会晤，还计划今年在日本东京开设亚洲首个联络处，为相互间定期磋商提供便利条件。
In terms of cooperation content, the cooperation scope has been gradually extended from non-traditional security areas such as anti-piracy, joint patrols, and cyber defense to traditional military security fields. The cooperation methods have also evolved from temporary collaborations like observation and participation in exercises to in-depth joint efforts such as establishing joint intelligence and early warning mechanisms.
合作内容上，双方由反海盗、联合巡逻、网络防御等非传统安全逐步向传统军事安全领域延伸。合作方式也由邀请观摩参加演训等临时协作向建立联合情报预警机制等深度联合转变。
Recently, NATO has been intensifying its connections with relevant countries in the Asia-Pacific region, reflecting an accelerating process of "NATO's Indo-Pacificization." This move is driven by three main considerations. First, it aims to create momentum. This year marks the 75th anniversary of NATO's founding, and deepening partnerships is an important topic for the upcoming NATO Summit in Washington in July as high-profile momentum before the summit helps unify positions. Second, it attempts to increase military aid. NATO believes that there is a connection between the Asia-Pacific region and European affairs, and by drawing in Asia-Pacific countries like Japan and the ROK, it can help alleviate Europe's pressure on military aid to Ukraine. Third, it intends to closely follow the US. The US is continuously deepening its Indo-Pacific strategy. As a US-led military bloc, NATO has no choice but to follow the US in its march into the Asia-Pacific region. Analysts pointed out that NATO's strengthening of its Asia-Pacific presence will only stir up regional tensions and harm regional security and stability.
近段时间，北约加紧勾连亚太地区相关国家，折射出“北约印太化”进程正在加速，背后考量主要有三点：一是制造声势。今年是北约成立75周年，深化伙伴关系是将于7月召开的北约华盛顿峰会的重要议题，会前高调造势有利于统一立场。二是加大军援。北约认为，亚太地区和欧洲事态之间存在联系，通过拉拢日韩等亚太国家，有利于减轻欧洲方向的援乌压力。三是紧跟美国。当前美国正不断深化“印太战略”，北约作为美国主导的军事集团，紧跟美国进军亚太是其必然选择。分析人士指出，北约强化亚太布局只会搅动地区紧张局势，无益于地区安全稳定。
