"In war it's speed that counts," the traditional Chinese military wisdom goes. The real deterrent capability of a military force isn't based on its scale, but rather the combat force it can deliver to a strategic location at the key moment.

Now, the "Stride-2009" military drill, the first massive cross-military areas drill in the history of the People's Liberation Army, will test the Chinese military's long-distance deployment capability.

A large-scale exercise will be conducted by some 50,000 PLA soldiers, air force members and army aviators. The exercise will include more than 60,000 heavy military vehicles and equipment.

Throughout history, the Chinese army followed a conservative strategy of territorial defense. Long-distance deployment and strategic maneuvers capability are the weakest link in its overall strength. Overseas military deployment has also been consciously shunned by China in the past, since it was seen as representing colonialization. China was once proud of having no soldiers deployed on foreign soil.

But this conception has started to change, as the expansion of Chinese interests overseas has required that long-distance military deployment capability be strengthened. China's national interests have increasingly grown beyond its geographic boundary.

While Chinese commodities and business are going global, the country is also relying more on foreign supplies of energy to fuel its fast economic growth. Securing strategic sea routes through which vital resources are transported is an important mission of the modern Chinese military.

Meanwhile, as a rising power expected to take more responsibility, Chinese military force needs to be commensurate with China's growing role in the international community. It must be prepared to participate in missions such as global anti-terrorism efforts, anti-pirate strikes, and disaster-relief tasks.

Ever-complicated domestic emergencies have also demanded fast responses by the military. The rescue efforts after the Wenchuan earthquake and the snowstorm disaster in southern China last year both show the critical importance of the ability to conduct long-distance strategic maneuvers. Swift military deployment is also vital to safeguarding security along China's borders.

Lacking such capability, the combat strength of the Chinese military and its ambition have been significantly crippled. It is reported that the Chinese military is not able to launch an overseas dispatch of a division force through sea or air and provide logistic support.

By putting long-distance deployment capability as one of the top concerns of recent drills, the Chinese army is shaking off the long-time psychological restraint on acquiring it.

This ability is critical for a truly modern military and necessary for a strong power. It is also a contribution China should make to world peace.

(Global Times August 12, 2009)