Diving deep to gather knowledge

China wants to be other countries' partner, not opponent; it wants to develop cooperation and win-win relationships with mutual respect with other countries. And it is committed to being a responsible great power despite some countries' suspicion, provocations and attempts to contain its rise.

Some countries and people antagonistic to Beijing will resort to the use of the "China threat" theory again to smear its image after the success of the Shenzhou X and Jiaolong missions.

The fact is that despite facing great challenges, from energy and military to technology and security, China has never threatened any other country.

Moreover, despite China's restraint and tolerance, some neighboring countries that have territorial disputes with China are trying to create trouble, which shows that China, not other countries, is the threatened party.

If China had any intention of ignoring other countries' interests, it would have started exploring and exploiting the coastal waters to meet its resource demand instead of developing its deep-sea diving technology. But still some people and countries use the "China technology threat" and "China energy threat" theories, because they cannot accept China's peaceful rise.

Why don't these people and countries understand that it is much more urgent and important for China to develop deep-sea technology to meet its resource demand than to strengthen its military power?

It's time China took steps to clarify the truth and dispel the international community's fears by putting the media and its diplomats into action.

The authors are professors at the School of Politics and Public Administration, Guangdong Ocean University.