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Time of India
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
National security white paper marks China's push for global order on its terms
On May 12, China 's State Council Information Office released a Chinese-language white paper discussing the nation's security direction. In this National Security in the New Era document, Beijing describes the current geopolitical scene as "volatile and stable". However, reading between the lines, what it cares about most is the stability and longevity of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Although this document must have been in the making for months, its release coincides with heightened regional and global uncertainty due to the unpredictability of President Donald Trump . However, the State Council's assertion that the paper "represents a major theoretical contribution from contemporary China to the global community" is best seen as a hubristic exaggeration. Nonetheless, the white paper is important since it is China's first such national security document. As the State Council explained, "The move aims to provide a comprehensive explanation of the innovative concepts, practices and achievements in China's national security efforts, and enhance the international community's understanding of China's national security." However, if the white paper was designed to reassure, then it failed. Beijing is attempting to paint itself as a source of stability in Asia-Pacific, but the white paper's sections on sovereignty, systemic risk management and ideological resilience show that China's national security is more about the survival of the CCP and its ideology. Its concept of holistic security encompasses diverse domains like politics, the economy, military, science and technology, and societal domains, all of which fall under the direct authority of the CCP. The concept also spans nontraditional threats such as cyberspace, artificial intelligence, biosecurity and public health. Interestingly, it claims the "people's security" is the ultimate goal. Yet the People's Republic of China has never been about the people,instead, it exists to glorify and solidify the preeminence of the CCP. This is confirmed when the document states political security is "the fundamental task". Furthermore, the CCP organ said national security "firmly fulfills the major responsibilities entrusted by the party and the people, upholds the party's position as the governing party and the socialist system, improves the people's sense of fulfillment, happiness and security..." Live Events The document has a preface, six sections and a conclusion. Giving an idea of the contents, the six chapters cover the following topics: China injecting certainty and stability into the world of change and disorder; the holistic approach to national security guiding national security efforts in the new era; providing solid support for the steady and continued progress of Chinese modernization; reinforcing security in development and pursuing development in security; implementing the Global Security Initiative and promoting the common security of the world; and advancing the modernization of the national security system and capacity through deepening reforms. It is unclear how national security "supports further expansion of high-level opening up," for China is now more closed under Xi, nor how it "operates under the rule of law," as asserted in the white paper. Yes, China has recently introduced new laws covering cybersecurity, data protection and counterterrorism, for example, but China uses laws to assert control over the population. This is rule "by" the law, not the rule "of" law. Mathieu Duchatel, Resident Senior Fellow and Director of International Studies of the French-based Institut Montaigne think-tank, highlighted four key concepts contained within the National Security in the New Era White Paper . The first is the centrality of Chairman Xi Jinping's comprehensive national security concept, which he first aired in April 2014. Its sweeping scope covers politics, military, territory, economy, finance, culture, society, science and technology, cyberspace, food, ecology, resources, nuclear issues, overseas interests, outer space, deep sea, polar regions, biology, AI and data. A second concept is the elevation of political security as the lifeline of national security in the new era. In other words, the CCP system must be preserved at all costs. Thirdly, Duchatel highlights the framing of national security policy as support for Chinese-style modernization. For instance, it lists a homicide rate of 0.44 per 100,000, which suggests China is the third-safest nation in the world. Although China trumpets its crime rate and social harmony as evidence of effective governance, it better reflects the tight controls implemented in an Orwellian police state where dissent is strictly outlawed. The fourth concept, according to Duchatel, is the search for balance between national security goals and development. If higher-level development of the nation is to occur, greater national security is required, or so the CCP's argument goes. It thus sees high-quality development and high-level security as two sides of the same coin. One cannot exist without the other, and so economic resilience is integral to national stability. China is also prioritizing technological self-reliance to protect itself and minimize exposure to foreign sanctions or disruptions to global supply chains. The white paper harks back to China's 5,000-year history, which endowed the "Chinese nation with a profound and rich strategic culture on national security". This is supposed to legitimize Xi's comprehensive national security concept, and to suggest his continuity as though he is building on past foundations. In fact, much of this white paper is the CCP asserting the moral high ground. As Trump turns his back on longstanding American and human principles, Duchatel stated, "In this context, China can be expected to achieve some soft-power gains, even though its actual behavior does not always align with its policy statements, and sometimes contradicts them." China majors on its responsible position in world affairs in this report. Its Global Security Initiative (GSI), proposed by Xi in 2022, imagines "building a community with a shared future for humanity, and brings a global outlook to the holistic approach to national security". The GSI trumpets shared security and multilateralism, whilst opposing bloc confrontations. In other words, the GSI seeks to set up China as the lead security partner as an alternative to Western blocs. From this position, China can dominate others. The white paper stated, "China ensures both its own security and common security, advocates strengthening global security governance, practices the global governance concept of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, upholds true multilateralism, and works to make global security governance system fairer and more equitable." However, Chinese national security will always be at odds with the security of other nations, and the GSI does not provide solutions to this conundrum for an authoritarian regime, despite the flowery words. Experience has proven that China prefers coercive actions when it feels threatened. China declares its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and development interests are non-negotiable, especially when it comes to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, Tibet and maritime rights. The paper asserts the CCP's "sincerity" in pursuing peaceful unification of Taiwan, and Duchatel commented that the paper's tone "clearly favors United Front tactics over military coercion. There is no indication that Beijing is losing patience." The fear is that China's "national security" efforts will simply tighten controls over home territory, as well as expanding its power and influence overseas. After all, whenever China exerts its power over others, it can claim it is simply exercising reasonable national security. As another example of the paradoxes contained in this white paper, the document promotes a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, despite China steadfastly supporting Vladimir Putin's invasion. Duchatel noted, "While China has acted as a critical enabler of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the document portrays a posture of benevolent neutrality, repeating, for instance, the line that 'the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected'. The disconnect between narrative and policy remains a major weakness of China's foreign policy, even though many countries are blind to it, for different reasons, such as anti-American ideology, whataboutism or lack of expertise on China." The same paradox could be applied to China's treatment of India and Pakistan. Although it paid lip service by condemning the Pahalgam terrorist attack, it arms and supports Pakistan, with its weapons being used in a short but sharp cross-border clash. Ryan Hass, an American foreign policy analyst who serves as director of the Brookings Institution 's John L. Thornton China Center, recently spent ten days traveling in China. Some of his observations reinforced what the white paper implies. Hass noted: "I feel China's plan for the US-China trade war is coming into focus around three central planks: maintain composure and resolve; avoid being isolated; hit America where it hurts." Concerning the first point of maintaining composure, he elaborated that the Chinese leadership is presenting itself as calm and confident, yet also conditioning the Chinese public for economic turbulence. This involves diverting the populace's frustration towards the USA as the source of their problems, and stoking nationalism by invoking China's history of holding firm against external is working hard to avoid being isolated, including finding common causes with Asian and other nations. As Hass concluded, "PRC leaders don't expect near-term resolution to the trade war. They view it as a symptom of a broader US strategy to suppress China's rise. They believe PRC concessions now would only invite further US pressure. They're treating the moment as strategic challenge, not an economic crisis." Hass claimed, "Rightly or not, Beijing believes its political system is more unified, hardened and disciplined than the US government to withstand trade war pressure. They're signaling they will hold firm and wait for Trump to shift course." This is the same kind of message that this national security white paper was trying to make - China is presenting a facade of confidence, and turning whole-of-society issues into matters of national security.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Global Times: White paper highlights China's proactive, steadfast practice of GSI, stresses country's contribution to global security
BEIJING, May 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- China's State Council Information Office on Monday released its first white paper on the country's national security in the new era. The white paper systematically elaborates on the theoretical system of China's holistic approach to national security for the first time. According to the white paper, China's holistic approach to national security is the first major strategic thinking established as the guiding principle for national security efforts since the founding of the People's Republic of China. It is an important component of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and represents a major theoretical contribution from contemporary China to the global community. It is noteworthy that the white paper presents the GSI as the "World Chapter" of China's holistic approach to national security. The white paper notes that the GSI highlights the security vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity, and brings a global outlook to the holistic approach to national security. With the development and changes of the times, the connotation and extension of national security are constantly expanding, and the international situation is becoming increasingly sharp and complex. In this context, the release of a white paper on national security is of great significance for enhancing the public's understanding of the field and scope of national security, Li Wei, a researcher and security expert at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times. In the new environment, the white paper can help everyone have a more scientific, comprehensive, and objective understanding and awareness of national security, he said. Wang Yiwei, a senior research fellow at the Institute of Global and Area Studies, Renmin University of China, echoed Li. He explained that the concept of national security used to include domestic and international security, but the boundary between the two forms of security is getting increasingly blurred given the turmoil and complex international situation, not to mention that emerging challenges in the governance of artificial intelligence and the management of the ecological environment have brought about new problems in the field of security. China's holistic approach to national security stresses the common security of the global society. And this is a vital reason behind why China proposed the GSI: to create a new era of common and sustainable security without hegemony at the institutional level, Wang noted. Chinese wisdom In April 2022, President Xi Jinping proposed the GSI at the Boao Forum for Asia, offering Chinese wisdom, solutions, and strength to address global security challenges, bridge the peace deficit, and promote shared security worldwide. In the GSI concept paper published in 2023, China expounded the initiative's core ideas and principles, reaffirming its commitments to abiding by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, taking the legitimate security concerns of all countries seriously, and peacefully resolving differences and disputes between countries through dialogue and consultation, among other pledges. By integrating the GSI into China's holistic approach to national security and connecting it with the global community with a shared future, the white paper is providing a specific plan for the construction of the global community with a shared future from the perspective of security, according to Wang. According to the white paper, the GSI addresses the urgent need of the international community to uphold world peace and prevent conflicts. It echoes the shared aspirations of the vast majority of nations for win-win cooperation over hegemony and bullying, aligning with humanity's common pursuit of lasting peace and universal security. The initiative offers a new pathway to eliminate the root causes of international conflicts, tackle global security challenges, and improve global security governance. China is not only an active proponent of the GSI, but also a steadfast practitioner. According to the white paper, as of May 2024, China had sent more than 50,000 peacekeepers to participate in more than 30 UN peacekeeping missions in over 20 countries and regions. The country had also dispatched more than 30,000 medical personnel to 77 countries and regions, benefiting at least 300 million patients. The country has also played a constructive role in resolving some of the world's most challenging regional conflicts, bringing certainty and positive energy to a world filled with turmoil, according to the white paper. Regarding the Ukraine crisis, China released a paper outlining its position on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, actively engaging in shuttle diplomacy and urging peace talks; China facilitated the reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran; under China's efforts, Palestinian factions signed the Beijing Declaration to end division and strengthen Palestinian national unity. China upholds true multilateralism, promotes adherence to international law, and drives reforms to make the global security governance system fairer, more equitable, and responsive to the will and interests of the majority of countries. This approach better meets practical needs in addressing global challenges, the white paper notes. Global contribution Over the past three years, the GSI has served as an important public good contributed by China to global security. It has played a positive role, garnered widespread support, demonstrated significant contemporary relevance and practical impact, and continues to benefit the noble cause of human peace and development. Along with its implementation, the initiative has also gained recognition, understanding of, and support from many countries, regions, and international organizations around the world. According to the white paper, by the end of 2024, the GSI had received support and appreciation from 119 countries and international organizations, and had been included in 123 bilateral and multilateral political documents. Talking about how China and Brazil could cooperate in the field of security, Marina dos Santos, a legislator from Rio de Janeiro, told the Global Times in a recent interview that China's experience in public security offers valuable lessons for Rio de Janeiro, particularly in the state's efficacy in protecting its citizens. "It's not just about ensuring personal safety and material property, but about using security to foster well-being and quality of life," she noted. The three major global initiatives proposed by China - namely the GDI, the GSI and the GCI - have become important strategic guides for building a community with a shared future. These three initiatives indicate the direction for human society's progress from the dimensions of development, security, and civilization, complementing and reinforcing each other. They serve as a crucial foundation for promoting the construction of a community with a shared future and provide a Chinese solution to significant issues concerning human peace and development, according to Wang. The three global initiatives demonstrate that China's confidence in global governance is transforming into conscious action, which involves deliberately linking domestic reform and opening up with global governance and actively advancing the modernization of governance systems and capabilities, Wang noted. Like the interpretation of the GSI in the recent white paper, Wang expects China to take the initiative to provide more specific perspective and plans to practically promote the construction of a global community with a shared future. View original content: SOURCE Global Times Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
US Typhon missile system in Philippines is a subtle headache for China
MANILA, Philippines — China released its first white paper on national security this week amid what Beijing calls 'intensifying geopolitics' in the region marked by the deployment of an 'intermediate-range missile system.' The 23-page 'China's National Security in the New Era,' released in Mandarin by the State Council Information Office, outlined the country's security issues in a region it described as mired in 'intensifying geopolitics, hegemonism and the return of Cold War mentality.' The Chinese government has for years made public its defense white papers, but it's the first time it has released a national security document that touches on a range of security threats, from maritime and territorial disputes, terrorism, biotechnology, and food security. Asia-Pacific, the document noted, faces 'severe' security challenges amid an escalating international arms race. China claimed 'some countries' strengthened military alliances in the region, wooed regional partners, built 'small groups,' and deployed military capabilities such as the 'intermediate-range missile system.' While China did not mention any country, the U.S. deployed last year a Typhon missile launcher in the Philippines as part of annual joint exercises between American and Filipino troops under a post-war defense treaty. Chinese officials have taken the pre-positioning of American military assets in the Philippines as a direct threat and repeatedly urged Manila to withdraw the missile system. The Philippines, however, refused and claimed it has plans to acquire similar systems in the future as part of military modernization. The presence of the launchers has 'aggravated regional tensions,' the white paper read. 'Unresolved territorial and maritime rights disputes have become more difficult and complicated … with the intervention of foreign forces.' China has always frowned upon what it calls the 'foreign interference of extra regional powers,' Julio Amador III, founder of geopolitical risk firm Amador Research, told Defense News. 'China probably released this now to low-key accuse the U.S. of being the source of instability, and offering itself as an alternative partner,' Amador said. The national security white paper was released on the heels of a high-level meeting in Geneva over the weekend, where Chinese and American officials agreed to cut tariffs for 90 days. Negotiations came after the two countries hurled fourfold tariff hikes at each other beginning in early April. China's sentiments on the tariff war are reflected in the white paper, which focuses on how some countries disregarded international obligations and imposed tariffs that disrupted the global economic order. Amid trade uncertainties, China indicated plans to build a free trade zone to be piloted in Hainan, an island province in the South China Sea. The government also unveiled plans to establish offices to review foreign investments that could impact national security after other countries launched tariff, trade, and technology wars and instigated public opinions against China in the name of security, the document said. The paper also reiterated a 'peaceful reunification' with Taiwan and China's support in completing a long-debated Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. Despite highlighting multilateral mechanisms in the white paper, Amador said the document may not significantly change China's positioning or posturing in disputed areas, a bane of contention for Manila which has for decades bemoaned the dissonance between China's foreign policy declarations and the activities of its People's Liberation Army Navy ships, coast guard vessels, and fishing flotillas in the South China Sea. 'The white paper should not be taken at face value,' Amador cautioned. He adds that it should be 'studied with care, noting where PRC [People's Republic of China] actions do not match its words, and prepare for any eventualities.'
RTHK
13-05-2025
- Politics
- RTHK
Emblem marks Anti-Fascist War victory anniversary
Emblem marks Anti-Fascist War victory anniversary The emblem features symbolic elements of the Great Wall, olive branches and brilliance. Photo: Xinhua The State Council Information Office on Tuesday unveiled an emblem commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Highlighting a striking yellow number "80" in the center, the emblem also features symbolic elements of the Great Wall, olive branches, brilliance and "1945-2025." The Great Wall symbolizes the spirit of the Chinese people uniting together and fighting with courage, representing the decisive role of a national spirit to which patriotism is central in the victory of the war against Japanese aggression. The olive branches demonstrate that after an arduous war of resistance, the Chinese people have won peace with victory, and that the Chinese people unite with people of all other countries to cherish and safeguard peace. A "gate of victory" formed by brilliance symbolises that the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War is a victory of justice over evil, light over darkness, and progress over reaction. It indicates that the country has bright prospects for realising national rejuvenation under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China. The emblem may be used in decorations for events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as in the production of materials for publicity, educational activities and relevant foreign affairs events, according to the office. Fighting from 1931 to 1945, the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression began the earliest and lasted the longest. As the main theatre in the East of the World Anti-Fascist War, China served as the mainstay of resistance against Japanese militarism, making a pivotal contribution to victory in the war. (Xinhua)
Scottish Sun
01-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Now China bizarrely claims Covid pandemic started in the US in desperate bid to shift blame from Wuhan ‘lab leak'
Watch the trailer for The Sun's explosive Covid lab leak documentary in our video player WU JOKING? Now China bizarrely claims Covid pandemic started in the US in desperate bid to shift blame from Wuhan 'lab leak' CHINA has brazenly claimed the Covid pandemic may have started in the US in a desperate bid to bat away growing scrutiny over a lab leak. The extraordinary accusation was made in a new White Paper released by Beijing's State Council Information Office. Advertisement 6 China has claimed the Covid pandemic may have started in the US and not in a Wuhan lab Credit: Reuters 6 The report accused the US - at the time under Joe Biden's administration - of 'indifference and delayed actions' during the fight against the virus Credit: AFP 6 Ex-top health chief Dr. Anthony Fauci speaks during a news conference with the coronavirus task force at the White House in 2020 Credit: AP 6 It comes after The Sun's explosive Covid lab leak documentary laid bare the mounting evidence and disturbing questions surrounding the virus's emergence in Wuhan — home to China's most secretive bio-research facility. And just days ago, the US launched a bombshell new Covid origins website blaming a Chinese lab for unleashing the killer virus. Now, in a fresh propaganda push, Beijing insists 'substantial evidence' shows Covid 'might have emerged in the United States earlier than its officially-claimed timeline, and earlier than the outbreak in China.' The document, titled Covid-19 Prevention, Control and Origins Tracing: China's Actions and Stance, was released via China's official Xinhua news agency. Advertisement It accused the US of "indifference and delayed actions" during the global Covid fight, and of scapegoating China to deflect from its own "mismanaged" response. 'The US has made China the primary scapegoat for its own mismanaged COVID-19 response,' it fumed. The report added that America was 'spreading misinformation' and had wasted 'precious time China had secured for the global fight against the pandemic.' It also revived Beijing's long-standing claims that it shared virus information with the world in a "timely manner" — while pointing to a Missouri lawsuit blaming China for a cover-up and hoarding of protective equipment. Advertisement The paper added: 'The US should not continue to 'pretend to be deaf and dumb', but should respond to the legitimate concerns of the international community.' I was in Oval Office with Trump at start of pandemic - no one was closer to Chinese officials than me & I believe Covid was engineered in lab Beijing's move comes after the White house on April 18 launched a new Covid-19 site which directly states the virus was leaked from a Chinese lab. It also slams former President Joe Biden, ex-top health chief Anthony Fauci and the World Health Organisation for mishandling the crisis. The CIA has recently changed its own stance - concluding in January that the pandemic was more likely to have come from a lab leak in China than natural origins. Advertisement However, it admitted this was based on "low confidence" and both scenarios remain "plausible". The World Health Organisation has said the virus has claimed more than seven million lives since emerging in late 2019 in Wuhan - where the first known cases were recorded. It declared the outbreak a pandemic in March 2020 and officially ended the public health emergency status in May last year. Last December, a bombshell Congress report concluded Covid most likely leaked from a lab in Wuhan. Advertisement 6 Shi Zhengli - dubbed 'Batwoman' for her work on bat coronaviruses - pictured at the Wuhan Institute of Virology Credit: AP 6 In the early days of the pandemic, Shi sequenced the virus and a critical role in the story of Covid Credit: AFP The 520-page report also revealed that the Department of Justice secretly investigated a New York-based company for clues about the origins of Covid - and potential criminal conduct. Following a two-year investigation involving dozens of interviews and high-profile hearings, the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic released its final report. Advertisement It said: "Four years after the onset of the worst pandemic in 100 years, the weight of the evidence increasingly supports the lab leak hypothesis. "By nearly all measures of science, if there was evidence of a natural origin it would have already surfaced." The report noted that Wuhan Institute of Virology was China's top coronavirus research lab and it had "a history of conducting research at inadequate biosafety levels". It added that researchers at the lab "were sick with a Covid-like virus in the fall of 2019, months before Covid-19 was discovered at the wet market". Advertisement The report accused the Chinese government, agencies in the US government and even members of the scientific community of a "cover up". It also implicates a US organisation that worked with the Wuhan lab using taxpayer cash. The Department of Justice launched a grand jury investigation - a probe into potential criminal conduct - into EcoHealth Alliance, the report reveals.
