New military white paper reinforces commitment to firm peace

By Han Xudong Source:Global Times Published: 2013-4-18 18:08:01

China officially released its eighth defense white paper Tuesday. It is the first time that China has elaborated its military development to the outside world through a thematic paper.

In this white paper, China discloses some principles of military struggle. This document is the most revelatory yet. It shows that China's military is becoming increasingly transparent, and that China is a responsible power and its army is a responsible armed force.

The UN is the largest and most influential international organization in the world. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has a responsibility to play a role in maintaining peace in the world and regional stability.

Currently, the overall situation of the world is stable, but some areas are still turbulent.

With the eastward shifting of the US strategic focus, the security situation in the Asia-Pacific region is becoming more complicated. Some hot spots and turbulences have even left this region on the brink of war.

As an Asia-Pacific power, China wants regional peace and stability. At the same time, it also puts a lot of efforts in promoting this goal. In this white paper, China warns some countries against continuously deepening military alliances, expanding their military presence and frequently creating hot spots to threaten peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

As a regional power, China should speak out to prevent some countries from misbehaving and undermining regional peace and stability.

Some people view the principles of military struggle reflected in this paper as a sign that the Chinese military is becoming aggressive. But this is a misunderstanding.

It's true that there are territorial disputes and disputes on maritime rights and interests between China and some neighboring countries.

China advocates resolving these disputes through peaceful means. However, some countries often use military methods to forcibly implement their policies on these disputes, which means China has no choice but to maintain its national interests by military means to a certain degree.

China upholds the principle in the white paper that "We will not attack unless we are attacked, but we will surely counterattack if attacked." It reflects China's defensive national defense policy instead of being aggressive.

Such a defensive policy is positive. China cannot go back to the old days before the foundation of the People's Republic of China when Chinese were bullied by others.

How can China bear other countries' continuous provocations without any reaction?

If some people equal China's reaction  to be military aggressive, it means they expect China to return to its old days when it could be easily bullied by others. These people have ulterior motives.

With the further development of globalization, the portion of overseas interests in overall national interests is increasing.

Countries which have overseas interests, including China, are thinking about how to protect these interests.

China's overseas interests are expanding. Although China has announced to the world that it will never engage in military expansion, it is a challenge for China to protect its expanding overseas interests against such a background.

Therefore, it's China's strategic choice to take measures, such as enhancing strategic flexibility and actively participating in UN peacekeeping operations, to maintain its overseas interests.

In short, the releasing of this new white paper is another strategic method for China to establish the "Chinese image."

The "Chinese image" is the image of a power which is responsible and has the courage to take responsibility. It will promote global harmonious development as well as maintaining peace and stability.

The author is a professor at the Strategy Department of the National Defense University PLA China. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn



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