Photo taken on Apr 6, 2022 shows a sculpture and flags at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

China on Wednesday urged NATO not to clamor about the "China threat" and instigate regional confrontation after NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stressed the need to stay united and firm to counter China's security threats during his tour in Japan.

"The Asia-Pacific is not a battlefield for geopolitical competition, and confrontation and the Cold War mentality are not welcome in the region," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a daily news briefing.

Mao also refuted a joint statement issued on Tuesday by Stoltenberg and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida that addressed Russia's growing military cooperation with China

Mao said NATO's moves deserve high vigilance from countries in the region as the bloc claims its position of regional defensive alliance remains unchanged while continuously breaking traditional defense zones and fields, and growing military and security ties with Asia-Pacific countries.

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Noting the country has always been an upholder of peace and stability in the region and beyond, Mao said China actively facilitates peace talks and promotes deescalation on hot spot issues.

Instead, Mao said, "NATO should reflect upon what role it has played in safeguarding the security of Europe."

Mao also refuted a joint statement issued on Tuesday by Stoltenberg and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida that addressed Russia's growing military cooperation with China, saying parties concerned should not hype the so-called China threat.

She said Japan's moves in the military and security spheres have always drawn high attention from its Asian neighbors and the international community.

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"Japan should earnestly learn the lessons of history, stick to a path of peaceful development and not do things that undermine the mutual trust of countries in the region as well as harm peace and stability of the region," she added.