China published a white paper on July 24, to analyze its defensive national defense policy in the new era and explain the practice, purposes and importance of China’s attempts to build a fortified national defense and a strong military.
The white paper is called ‘China’s National Defense in the New Era’, and aims to help the international community understand China’s national defense.
The main body of the white paper is divided into six sections:
- The international security situation;
- China’s defensive national defense policy in the new era;
- Fulfilling the missions and tasks of China’s armed forces in the new era;
- Reform in China’s national defense and armed forces;
- Reasonable and appropriate defense expenditure;
- Actively contributing to building a community with a shared future for mankind.
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It comes in the midst of Beijing and Washington’s tense relations regarding military and trade issues, and highlights that the US has ‘provoked and intensified competition among major countries, significantly increased its defense expenditure, pushed for additional capacity in nuclear, outer space, cyber and missile defense, and undermined global strategic stability.’
On the other hands, China points out that it has promoted world peace,while also voluntarily reducing PLA by more than four million troops. What is more, it adds that its military strategy complies with the principles of defense, self-defense and post-strike response, and adopts active defense.
In addition, non-traditional security threats, such as cyber security, bio-security and piracy threats are becoming more common. As the paper specifies, ‘the Iranian nuclear issue has taken an unexpected turn, and there is no easy political solution to the Syrian issue.’
Furthermore, China believes that the South China Sea islands and Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea are parts of the Chinese territory. It explained that China exercises its national sovereignty to build infrastructure and deploy necessary defensive capabilities on the islands and reefs in the South China Sea, and carry out patrols in the waters of Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea.
However, it also added that it wants to resolve disputes through negotiations with states directly involved on the basis of respecting historical facts and international law.
Moreover, China stands against US arms sales to Taiwan and illegal entry into China’s territorial waters and maritime and air spaces near relevant islands and reefs, as well as various and frequent close-in reconnaissance. Nevertheless, it mentions that military-to-military relationship remains stable.
