China sets strategic plans for national defense, armed forces building

Source: Xinhua | 01-20-2009 11:00

BEIJING, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- China has set the goal of basically realizing mechanization for national defense and armed forces by 2020, says a white paper on China's National Defense in 2008 issued here Tuesday.

The white paper, issued by the Information Office of the State Council, says that China has formulated strategic plans for national defense and armed forces building.

"It will basically accomplish mechanization and make major progress in informationization by 2020, and reach the goal of modernization of national defense and armed forces by the mid-21stcentury," the paper says.

It will make national defense building an organic part of its social and economic development, endeavors to establish scientific mechanisms for the coordinated development of economy and national defense.

It says China aimed at developing a complete set of scientific modes of organization, institutions and ways of operation by 2020.

China will also step up the composite development of mechanization and informationization. It will develop new and high-tech weaponry and equipment, conduct military training in conditions of informationization, and build a modern logistics system in an all-round way.

The white paper says China implements a military strategy of active defense. It adheres to the principle of insisting on defensive operations, self-defense and striking and getting the better of the enemy only after the enemy has started an attack.

To implement the strategy, China has formulated a military strategic guideline of active defense for the new period.

This guideline aims at speeding up the building of a combat force structure suitable for winning local wars in conditions of informationization.

It lays stress on deterring crises and wars. China remains committed to the policy of no first use of nuclear weapons, pursues a self-defensive nuclear strategy, and will never enter into a nuclear arms race with any other country, the paper says.

The guideline focuses on enhancing the capabilities of the armed forces in countering various security threats and accomplishing diversified military tasks.

With raising the capability to win local wars in conditions of informationization at the core, it works to increase the country's capabilities to maintain maritime, space and electromagnetic space security and to carry out the tasks of counter-terrorism, stability maintenance, emergency rescue and international peacekeeping.

The guideline adheres to the strategic concept of people's war. China always relies on the people to build national defense and the armed forces, combines a lean standing force with a powerful reserve force and endeavors to reinforce its defense strength, the paper stresses.

The white paper says that China pursues a national defense policy which is purely defensive in nature. China places the protection of national sovereignty, security, territorial integrity, safeguarding of the interests of national development, and the interests of the Chinese people above all else.

"China endeavors to build a fortified national defense and strong military forces compatible with national security and development interests, and enrich the country and strengthen the military while building a moderately prosperous society in all aspects," the paper says.

China's national defense policy basically includes:

-- Upholding national security and unity, and ensuring the interests of national development;

-- Achieving the all-round, coordinated and sustainable development of China's national defense and armed forces;

-- Enhancing the performance of the armed forces with informationization as the major measuring criterion;

-- Implementing the military strategy of active defense;

-- Pursuing a self-defensive nuclear strategy and

-- Fostering a security environment conducive to China's peaceful development.

Editor:Zhang Ning