BERLIN

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg warned allies on Thursday not to trust Chinese technology while developing critical, digital infrastructure.

“We have seen the results of relying on Russia for our energy supply. We should not repeat this mistake by relying on China to provide the technology for our critical networks,” he said.

Stoltenberg's remarks came in Berlin during NATO’s first annual Cyber Defense Conference, which brought together top defense officials and security experts from NATO member states and partners.

He argued that countries like Russia and China are challenging the West’s values, interests, as well as security in cyberspace.

“While China is not our adversary, it does not share our values. And it is determined to shape the future of cyberspace in its own image. With little transparency and no regard for human rights,” he said, while accusing China of using new technologies as tools for repression at home.

“And it is exporting its technologies, including facial recognition, as instruments of state control to countries around the world,” he said.

“It is also proposing new internet protocols at the United Nations, to challenge the very notion of a free and open cyberspace,” Stoltenberg added.

The NATO’s defense chief said member states should enhance cooperation on new technologies and cyber security, and support joint projects with the private sector.

“Through NATO, we can work together to strengthen our own cyber-security, build a secure cyberspace for all, and keep our 1 billion people safe,” he said.

“It is not possible to keep our nations safe without the private sector. So, we need to talk, to plan and exercise more together,” added Stoltenberg.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn, Dutch Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot, Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Igli Hasani, Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, and the UK’s Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Europe Leo Docherty were among participants at the conference.