China's air force guards the friendly skies

• Source: Global Times
• [08:51 November 11 2009]
• Comments

GT: How does China's air force practice the combination of defense and attack strategies under the direction of working for a "harmonious world?"

Qiao: Actually, no country's military force is purely defensive. Any military force must be able to counterattack if it wants to defend its country. Counterattack means include reconnaissance, strike means, including weapons and ammunition.

But attack doesn't necessarily mean aggression. China's strategies of defense and attack are the means of active defense.

Strategically, China has no intention to launch an offensive against other countries.

Only when China's air force acquires the abilities of defense and attack can it cooperate with other arms to fight.

For example, when enemies restrict the army's operations, the air force can provide air protection for the land army and conduct air attacks against enemies. When the army, navy and air force conduct joint operations, the air force's task is to protect a country's airspace control.

GT: At present, how does the PLA air force control, develop and use China's airspace?

Qiao: China's air force only uses space-based information to support its operations, such as satellite images, satellite information and so on.

China hasn't developed space weapons, especially offensive space weapons, as some Western countries have done.

China's air force hasn't achieved enough progress to respond to more complicated space competitions in the future, and hasn't invest enough money and technologies in this field. As China's basic strategy is defensive, it won't join space arms race and develop offensive space weapons.

China has no intention to attack or invade other countries, but is determined to defend its interests.

GT: To mark the 60th anniversary of the PLA air force, an international military forum themed "harmonious skies" was held in Beijing on November 6-7. The forum concluded that all countries must work together to respond to the threats on air and space security. What does China can do to achieve the "harmonious skies?" What are China's plans on the communication with other countries' air forces?

Qiao: There was no air and space security issue in the past. The issue appeared after some countries went beyond the line of peaceful development and utilization of outer space. The militarization of space can hardly be avoided. To oppose the trend is almost impossible. Most satellites are for military reconnaissance.

China opposes the weaponization of outer space and military competitions there, which clearly show China's stand of "harmonious skies."

All the world can do is to sit down, negotiate and reach agreements to contain or remit the tendencies and situation of weaponizing outer space and military competitions there.

China has become more and more confident and transparent through communication with the world. The world requires China's air force to become more transparent. The international military forum and the air show are for this purpose.

What China wants to do is to show the world its goodwill and the condition of the air force.

In the future, China's air force will establish communication systems with foreign air forces. The progress of communication brings countries closer.

The world is becoming smaller and smaller, indicating the possible increasing of frictions and conflicts among countries.

Only via communication can countries get to know each other better and can the world become safer.