SpaceWar.com reports: “NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte warned of China’s military expansion while aiming to improve economic ties with Japan during a two-day visit on Tuesday and Wednesday.

China’s emphasis on military development, support of Russia and ties to Iran and North Korea make China a serious concern, Rutte said while meeting with Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani on Tuesday at the Yokosuka Naval Base.

‘China is building up its armed forces, including its navy, at a rapid pace,’ Rutte told media in Yokosuka. ‘We cannot be naïve, and we really have to work together [and] assess what is happening.’

Japanese officials view China as a threat to regional peace and recently increased Japan’s military growth, including the future deployment of long-range cruise missiles capable of defensive strikes against aggressor nations.

During his meeting with Nakatani earlier Tuesday, Rutte said NATO and Japan share common concerns as China, North Korea and Russia increase their mutual military cooperation while undermining global stability…”