SCIO briefing on White Paper on China's Military Strategy
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail China.org.cn, May 26, 2015
China Central Television:
My question is: There are many sea disputes between China and other countries like Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam that have triggered regional tensions and U.S. intervention in the region. Is the issuing of the defense white paper at this time related to the security situation China is facing? Does China want to convey a message by issuing the white paper?
Yang Yujun:
Let me answer the question. First of all, I would like to make it clear to you that the Chinese government's choice to issue the defense white paper at this time depends on the white paper's drafting schedule and has nothing to do with the current international and regional security situation and the development of current Sino-foreign relations. You might be concerned with the aim and background of the issuing of the white paper. There are mainly three aspects of this. First, we must adapt to the developments of the times. In this era, as world multi-polarization, economic globalization and society informatization become ever more intense, the international community is becoming a community with a common destiny. China's security is closely related to world peace. China's issuing of the military strategy white paper explains Chinese military and security policy to the international community on a strategic level and allows us to express reasonable security concerns and put forward security cooperation initiatives.
Second, the white paper reflects the innovation and development of Chinese military strategy. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese army has deeply implemented an overall national security outlook with a broader horizon, an updated mindset and innovative guidance in its military strategy that meets the party's aim to build a strong army under new circumstances. The military's capacity to fulfill its mission has been improved gradually by ongoing comprehensive development.
Third, the white paper provides a positive response to concerns at home and abroad. We have noticed that there are strong concerns from abroad about trends in the development of the Chinese army, including in its military strategy. Many of these concerns are misunderstandings and misreadings that have resulted from a lack of information. Of course, some of them are also hype that questions China's lack of military transparency and plays up the so-called fallacy of "China's military threat." It is necessary for us to clarify these things so as to point public opinion in the right direction.
In the white paper, the Chinese government expounds the country's military strategy. This helps the domestic and international community learn about China's military security policy more comprehensively and objectively. It also helps those outside the country form more objective and rational expectations about the development trends of the Chinese army. It reflects China's openness and confidence amid big strategic challenges and shows the country's willingness to actively work toward maintaining international and regional common security.
Meanwhile, the issuing of the white paper also has the positive effect of improving military transparency and enhancing mutual understanding and trust between countries.
Wen Wei Po:
This white paper clarifies the main contents of the military strategic guidelines under the new circumstances, including the basic aspects of preparation for military conflict, the basic operational approach, the military strategic layout and strategic guiding principles. These topics are relatively new and sound quite different from the strategic approach of "active defense" that China has always declared in the past. Some people have said China's strategic guideline of active defense is actual a "preemptive" strategy. What is your comment on this?
Zhang Yuguo:
The "preemptive" strategy this reporter has raised is totally different from the strategy of active defense we are pursuing. The strategy of active defense China pursues is based on defense: activeness is the means while defense is the ultimate goal. Indeed, some countries now pursue a "preemptive" strategy, emphasizing preventive intervention and initiation of attacks. That means taking the initiative to launch an attack before a threat has formed, which is completely different from active defense. During the revolutionary war years, the Chinese army created and formed a set of strategic guidelines for active defense that emphasized the combination and organic unification of an active approach to tactics and a defensive strategy. They emphasize the principles of defense, self-defense and gaining mastery by striking only after the enemy has struck. They stress that "We will not attack unless we are attacked; if we are attacked, we will certainly counterattack." Since 1949, China has successively adjusted the military strategic guidelines, but there has been no change to the basic tenet of active defense. The reason why China adheres to these active defense strategic guidelines and approach is determined by the socialist system of our country, determined by fundamental national interests, and determined by the requirement that we must adhere to a path of peaceful development.
At present, China faces multiple and complex national security situations, so we are objectively required to further the innovation and development of military strategy. For example, we must meet new requirements for national security development and meet the new challenge of the world's military revolution by innovating military strategic guidance and operational thought, attaching great importance to the new security realms of space and cyberspace, and effectively safeguard the security of China's overseas interests. Some other big countries have followed the same pattern, too.
Under these new circumstances, the strategic guidelines for active defense puts more emphasis on international security cooperation, providing public security products for the international community, and undertaking international responsibilities and obligations. They fully reflect China's active desire to be committed to maintaining regional stability and world peace. This point has fully demonstrated that our strategic guidelines of active defense have many new connotations, but they are totally different from the "preemptive" strategy.
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)