China Daily:

The white paper says that China's armed forces will strengthen international security cooperation in areas crucially related to China's overseas interests to ensure the security of such interests. What are the areas crucially related to China's overseas interests? Does China count these areas as its spheres of influence?

Zhang Yuguo:

With the growth of national interests, the security of our overseas interest concerning energy and resources, strategic sea lines of communication, and institutions, personnel and assets abroad has become an increasingly imminent issue. The areas crucially related to China's overseas interests refer to those areas that are objectively and closely related to our overseas interests. The areas are neither exclusive nor antagonistic. China will never seek hegemony or expansion, nor will it crave for any sphere of influence or join any military bloc. China is always committed to international security cooperation. Most remarkably, China has never focused its attention on pursuing self-interests when safeguarding the security of its overseas interests. Instead, it stresses integrating the interests of the Chinese people into the common interests of other peoples. It is committed to providing public security service for the international community and plays an active role in safeguarding world peace and regional stability. For example, in line with the UN resolution, we have carried out escort missions in Somali waters and the Gulf of Aden since 2008. Our PLA navy fleets escort not only Chinese ships, but also ships from international organizations and foreign countries.

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)