— Interview with Director of the Foreign Affairs Office, Ministry of National Defense

"It is a strategic task of China's modernization drive as well as a strong guarantee for its peaceful development to build a strong national defense and powerful armed force, which are commensurate with China's international standing and meet the needs of its security and development interests," said Guan Youfei, Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Ministry of National Defense on April 16, 2013. After the white paper titled the Diversified Employment of China's Armed Forces was issued, Guan granted an interview with People's Daily, responding to concerns.

People's Daily: There are many "first-time announcements" in this white paper. How do you comment on its transparency?

Guan Youfei: The Defense White Paper is an important platform to highlight the transparency of China's military affairs. Every such paper adds some new contents and features on national defense policies and army development, which reflects our continuous efforts on improving military transparency. For instance, the national defense white paper in 1998 defined the basic contents of the country's national defense policy for the first time; in 2002, it expounded on the objective and mission of defense for the first time; in 2006, it defined China's nuclear strategy; in 2008, it announced its plan for defense development and in 2010, it fully elaborated the objective reality for us to pursue a national defense policy under the new situation. This year, the white paper systematically expounded the policies, principles and major practices for the diversified employment of China's armed forces. It should be said that the transparency of the PLA is consistent with the reality of our national and military situation.

The transparency of a country's military affairs relates to its security. As for to what level, in what ways and at what time to disclose such affairs to the outside world, it all depends on a country's security and interests. No country is able to make its military affairs absolutely transparent to the external world. In recent years, the Chinese military has adopted a series of measures to open itself to the world, such as establishing a news spokesperson system for the Ministry of National Defense, opening a ministry website (http://eng.mod.gov.cn), inviting foreign correspondents to visit and interview, and others, all of which were unimaginable ten years ago. It can be said that China is very transparent on military affairs.

People's Daily: It is pointed out in the new white paper that Chinese armed forces readily respond to and resolutely deter any provocative action that undermines the country's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity; and firmly safeguard its core national interests. Does this imply that China is tending to employ military force to settle disputes with other nations on territorial sovereignty?

Guan Youfei: We persist in solving international disputes in a peaceful way, by turning to negotiations and equal consultation for the settlement of conflicts and problems with relevant countries. We are strongly opposed to any actions that may complicate and expand the situation. Over the past several years, some countries have intentionally provoked China over territorial sovereignty, which is a root for a tense regional situation. Our government and military's determination to safeguard national territorial sovereignty is unswerving. We persist in the path of peaceful development, but not at the price of core interests.

People's Daily: There is a voice arguing that in peaceful times, the armed forces are not involved in wars and thus their role is limited. How do you see this point?

Guan Youfei: This white paper offers a systematic introduction of various practices in diversified tasks by the Chinese military forces during peacetime.

The Chinese armed forces always maintain constant combat readiness. Some are patrolling along the country's borders, some are conducting ship escort operations tens of thousands of miles away, some are fulfilling tasks under the blue sky and many others are conducting daily exercises and duties as well as teaching and implementing scientific research. All of this is to ensure that our people work in a peaceful environment and to build a strong shield for the protection of national security.