We noticed that the Swedish government released the National Security Strategy on July 8. Its China-related contents play up the so-called “China threat” without any factual basis, make groundless accusations against China and smear and attack China. The accusations are not based on the truth and are a distortion of facts, which seriously damage China’s image and disrupt the development of China-Sweden relations. The Chinese side strongly deplores and opposes such accusations.

The strategy accuses China of undermining the rules-based world order and hypes up the so-called “China threat.” The fact is, China firmly upholds the international system with the U.N. at its core, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter. China has always been a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of the international order. China never invaded any country, never interfered in other countries’ internal affairs, and never undermined other countries’ sovereignty and territorial integrity. We are firmly committed to the independent foreign policy of peace, the path of peaceful development, the development of friendly cooperation with all countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, the win-win strategy of opening up, and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind together with the rest of the world. China’s development presents an opportunity for the world, and poses no threat to anyone.

The strategy smears China’s policy and position on the Ukraine crisis. The fact is, China has always upheld an objective and just position on the Ukraine crisis, actively promoted talks for peace and pushed for a political settlement. In China’s view, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected, the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter must be fully observed, the legitimate security concerns of all countries must be taken seriously, and all efforts that are conducive to the settlement of the crisis must be supported. China has maintained friendly cooperation with all relevant parties, and China’s special representative has traveled intensively to mediate among different parties. China released its Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis, and issued together with Brazil the six common understandings on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, playing a constructive role in ending hostilities. China did not create the crisis. It is not a direct party to the crisis and has never and will never profiteer from the conflict. We do not accept smears, pressuring or blame-shifting. Cooperation between China and Russia is not targeted at any third party, and will not be disrupted, still less swayed by any third party.

The strategy falsely claims that China’s expansion of its nuclear capabilities will affect strategic stability. The fact is, China is the only country in the world that includes in its Constitution the commitment to a path of peaceful development, and is the only country among the major nuclear-weapon states that is committed to no-first-use of nuclear weapons. China has always been extremely prudent and responsible about nuclear weapon issues. China is committed to a defensive nuclear strategy and keeps our nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required by national security. China never engaged in any form of nuclear arms race. China’s nuclear policy is highly stable, consistent and predictable. China makes important contributions to international nuclear disarmament and global strategic stability.

The strategy slanders China’s political system and development model. The fact is, there are no identical political systems in the world, neither is there a political model that fits all. People of all countries are entitled to choose their own development paths and systems suited to their national conditions on the basis of their cultural traditions, historical circumstances and practical needs. The Chinese people know best whether the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics suits the country or not. China’s development path is a path of peaceful development, a path to achieve common prosperity, and is the choice of history and of the people. It enables China to achieve impressive advances that have earned worldwide recognition and is wholeheartedly supported by all Chinese people. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, Chinese people are now advancing Chinese modernization through high-quality development and pursuing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and will make greater contribution to world peace and development.

The strategy touts that Sweden needs to reduce risks in relation to China. The fact is, China is not a source of risk, but a staunch force for preventing and defusing risks. From safeguarding financial stability and curbing inflation to dealing with energy crises and realizing green transition, China is an important cooperation partner for the EU and Sweden. To shut out China in the name of “de-risking” is to throw away opportunities, cooperation, stability and development. To do that is to create and spread risks, and no one will benefit from it. In today’s world, failure to cooperate is the biggest risk, failure to develop is the biggest security threat and failure to unite is the biggest challenge.

We urge the Swedish side to discard its Cold-War mentality and ideological prejudice, view China and its development objectively and rationally, stop spreading groundless accusations and provocative rhetoric targeting China and do things that are conducive to the development of China-Sweden friendly and cooperative relations.