White paper debunks 'China threat' theory: China Daily editorial

With its rapidly growing economic and military strength since the launch of reform and opening-up four decades ago, there has been a global cacophony trumpeting the "China threat" theory. Those trying to cram this idea into people's ears are troubled by the notion that the sleeping giant has awakened. Fearing that it will move the world in ways beyond their control, they seek to depict China as a threat to world peace and the existing international order, pointing accusing fingers at the country for the steady increase in its military spending and alleging it is exhibiting unwarranted assertiveness in pressing its claims in the territorial disputes it has with some of its neighbors.

All this has made it all the more imperative and necessary for China to clarify its intentions to avoid any dangerous misconceptions or misunderstandings, since history records a succession of rash acts born of mistakes, miscalculations and misjudgments.

The white paper titled "China's National Defense in the New Era" released on Wednesday expounds on the country's national defense policy and, by explaining the practice, purposes and significance of its efforts to build a strong military, makes clear to the world that the People's Liberation Army is a staunch safeguard for national sovereignty but also world peace and development.

The white paper, the first comprehensive one since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, states explicitly that China will never seek hegemony, expansion or spheres of influence, the historical path taken by great powers, whose ascents have been accompanied by the use of force and wars.

But as the world's second-largest economy with extensive interests overseas, China has to maintain "reasonable and appropriate" military spending. This is further justified by the more complex peripheral security environment and increasing international responsibilities it has to shoulder. China now contributes more troops to United Nations peacekeeping missions than any other permanent member of the UN Security Council.

China is open and transparent about its military spending. It accounted for only 1.3 percent of its GDP from 2012 to 2017, much lower than the ratios for other major countries such as Russia (4.4 percent), the United States (3.5 percent) and India (2.5 percent). Its per capita defense expenditure was a meager 750 yuan ($109), about 5 percent of the per capita defense expenditure of the US, 13 percent that of United Kingdom and 16 percent that of France. All this underscores the defensive nature of China's national defense policy and reinforces the fact that China poses no threat to any country.

Yet the white paper also clarifies that reunification with Taiwan is a core national interest. The PLA will be ready to go to war if any individual, organization or country dares to try to split Taiwan from the motherland. This is a solemn oath made in the white paper. No individual, organization or country should underestimate China's resolve to safeguard its national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.