Hon. Commodore Carlos Agustin,

President of the Philippine National Defense College

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It gives me a great pleasure to visit the Philippine National Defense College. I’d like to begin my speech today by expressing my cordial thanks to President Agustin for his kind invitation and to all the distinguished guests and experts present here for your attendance.  Now, I wish to share with you my views on China’s major defense and security concerns.

PARTⅠ. The present international and regional security situation.

To comment on the national defense strategy of one country and its security concerns, it may be useful to start by looking at the present international security situation. In my view, the current international situation is undergoing unprecedented, profound and complex changes, thus unfolding before us some unique features:

First, Factors endangering security have become increasingly multi-faceted, further complicating the international security situation. When the world is toiled very hard to resolve the traditional threats caused by ethnic, religious and territorial disputes, some non-traditional threats such as terrorism, transnational crimes, drug trafficking and infectious diseases are also becoming increasingly pronounced. All these have posed grave challenges to the mankind and brought before us a more complex international security situation.

Second, Terrorism has taken on global dimensions, urging countries in the world to further step up coordination and cooperation. As the economic globalization deepens, countries in the world are sharing more and more common security interests. Terrorism and other security problems are not only nightmare to a specific country, but also a common threat to the whole region and the world at large. According to incomplete statistics, there were over 260 reported terrorist attacks in the world last year, resulting in 1,600 people dead and more 5,200 wounded. No country can stand aside from such a threat. As a result, countries in the world, the major ones in particular, are stepping up their coordination and cooperation in a joint effort to face the challenges.

Third, The unbalance of military strength among states has been worsened, and military force has been more frequently used to settle disputes. After the end of the Cold War, as a result of several regional wars, drastic changes have taken place in military field around the world, which has been characterized by military reforms, development of new military theories and dramatic improvement of military capabilities, the extensive application of new military technology in particular. As a result, the gap between the developed and developing countries in terms of their respective military strength becomes wider than ever. The use of force or threat to use force for disputes settlement has been frequently seen. According to statistics, there were 36 regional wars and armed conflicts last year. The international security is adversely affected and the authority of the United Nations is under great challenge.

Fourth. The Asia-Pacific region on the whole continues to enjoy peace and stability while factors leading to instability have also increased. Despite some local conflicts, this region has basically remained peaceful. However, while traditional security problems left over from history are yet to be resolved, the danger posed by terrorist, separatist and extremist forces to the regional security is becoming even more serious.

Fifth. Peace and development still remain the prevailing aspiration of the present world, and we have before us more opportunities than challenges. Though the world is far from being tranquil, to preserve peace and promote development still remains the common aspiration of all peoples in the international community. Therefore, I believe that a new world war is unlikely to break out in the foreseeable future. Although the world is today troubled by local wars and some non-traditional security problems, the general picture of the world security is still one of peace and we have more opportunities for development than challenges. Thus, I believe, to preserve peace and stability of the world for a long period of time is possible.

Facts have proven that the use of military force alone cannot solve the security problems caused by a combination of different factors. The security system based on the concept of using military force or threatening to use such force can hardly be effective in preserving lasting peace for the world. In the face of growing challenges to the international security, a new security concept is needed for securing long-lasting peace and stability of the world.

PARTⅡ. The new security concept proposed by China

As early as in 1996, China called on countries to jointly develop a new security concept, which focuses on enhancing mutual trust through dialogue and promoting common security through cooperation. In 1999, H.E. Jiang Zemin, then President of China, addressed the World Disarmament Conference in Geneva with a speech entitled “Work to push forward the disarmament process and safeguard world peace”, in which he explained China’s new security concept in a rather detailed way.

In China's view, the essence of such concept should include mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and coordination. Now, this concept has already become an important component of China’s foreign policy. Let me share with you now some definitions of this new concept.

By mutual trust, we mean all countries should go beyond differences in ideology and social systems, abandon the mentality of Cold War and power politics, and refrain from mutual suspicion and hostility. Instead, they should conduct frequent dialogues and briefings on each other’s security and defense policies as well as major operations they are about to take.

By mutual benefit, we mean all countries should meet the objective needs of social development in the era of unfolding globalization, respect each other’s security interests, create conditions for the better security of others while ensuring their own security interests, so as to achieve universal security.

By equality, we mean all countries, big or small, strong or weak, are equal members of the international community. They should respect each other, treat each other as equals, refrain from interfering in each other's internal affairs, and work for democratization of the international relations.

By coordination, we mean all countries should seek settlement of their disputes through peaceful negotiations and carry out extensive and in-depth cooperation on security issues of common concern so as to help remove potential dangers, and prevent the outbreak of wars and conflicts.

The Chinese Government believes that the international community should reach a consensus on the above-mentioned concept, and take positive steps jointly to deal with the serious security threats facing humanity.

PART Ⅲ. China is working actively to put the new security concept into practice.

The world is so diversified and colorful, and the Asia-Pacific region is even more so. The best way to achieve common development and progress is to accommodate such diversity in a generous way. In our view, the security cooperation among countries should have three following aspects: Firstly, security cooperation should not be just limited to countries with similar or identical views and development patterns; it should also include countries with different views and development patterns. Secondly, cooperation under the new security concept should be flexible and diversified in forms so as to include multilateral security mechanism, and multilateral, bilateral, non-governmental security dialogues and so on. Thirdly, to promote the integration of economic interests and to strengthen multilateral cooperation in combating non-traditional security threats such as infectious diseases are also effective means to secure lasting security.

Based on this new security concept, China has been involved actively in international security cooperation with other countries in the world.

First, China is vigorously seeking settlement of disputes with its neighbors through peaceful negotiation. Up to now, China has settled the land boundary disputes with most of its neighboring countries. For historical reasons, China has disputes with some neighbors on sea boundary. While making positive efforts to settle these disputes by peaceful means, we also proposed that pending peaceful solutions countries concerned should at the same time “shelve disputes and work for common development”. In November 2002, China and ASEAN signed “The Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea”, which emphasized that parties concerned should, in the spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding, explore ways to build mutual trust, address the existing disputes by peaceful means and launch active economic cooperation in the South China Sea. The Declaration is the first political document ever signed by China and ASEAN on the question of the South China Sea, which is of great importance in maintaining peace and stability in the region and promoting mutual trust between China and ASEAN countries.

Second, China takes an active part in regional security cooperation. To initiate dialogues and cooperation with Asia-Pacific countries constitutes an important part of China’s Asia-Pacific security policy.  For the purpose of building good-neighborly relationships and partnership, we are pursuing a policy of bringing harmony, security and prosperity to our neighbors and dedicating ourselves to strengthening regional cooperation with countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Let me now elaborate a little more on this.

1. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). In June 2001, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan founded the SCO. Ever since then, the six member countries have further enhanced their mutual trust and cooperation in the military field and worked jointly to protect regional peace and stability. Today, the SCO has become an example of the new security concept, demonstrating a new pattern of regional cooperation and new relations between states.

2. The Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA). China endorses the CICA aim and principle of strengthening trust and cooperation and safeguarding regional security in Asia. We have developed constructive and friendly cooperation with all its member countries.

3. Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). China supports ASEAN in its continuous advance toward its set goal. China has always been active in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) foreign ministers’ meetings, senior officials’ meetings and unofficial meetings. Cooperation between ASEAN and China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (10+3) is an important channel for East Asian leaders to exchange views on strengthening regional cooperation. China values and actively participates in this cooperation.

4. International anti-terrorism cooperation. China is a victim of terrorism. We have always resolutely opposed and condemned all forms of terrorism. We hold that cracking down on terrorism requires conclusive evidence with a clear mandate and conformity with the purpose and principles of the UN Charter and the universally recognized norms governing international laws. Terrorism should not be regarded as identical to any specific nationality or religion; neither should dual standards be adopted in the fight against terrorism. The international community should make joint efforts to resolutely condemn and fight against terrorism whenever and wherever it occurs, whoever it is directed against and in whatever form it appears.

5. China’s non-proliferation efforts. As a responsible country, China stands for a complete prohibition and thorough destruction of all sorts of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons of mass destruction and resolutely opposes the proliferation of such weapons and their means of delivery. By the end of October 2003, China had received 68 on-site verifications by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). China supports countries concerned in their efforts to establish nuclear-free zones in Southeast and Central Asia. And we have explicitly committed ourselves to signing the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Bangkok) and its relevant protocol.

As the largest developing country in the world, China unswervingly pursues an independent foreign policy of peace, and will continue to play an active part in creating a peaceful regional environment for the development of Asia.

PART Ⅳ. China’s major national defense policy

First, China’s national defense policy is defensive in nature. The tasks of our national defense policy are to prevent and resist foreign aggression, to stop national separation and bring about a complete reunification of China, to stop armed subversion and maintain social stability, and to safeguard world peace and oppose aggression and expansion. Strategically, China pursues the policy of defensive readiness, self-defense operations and counter-attack only after being attacked, with a stress on the deterrence of war. And at the same time, China mobilizes political, economic and diplomatic efforts to improve China’s strategic environment so as to reduce insecurity and instability factors, prevent the outbreak of a local war and armed conflict, and keep the country away from war damage.

As a country with nuclear weapons, China consistently upholds the policy of no first use of nuclear weapons, and exercises extreme restraint toward the development of nuclear armament. China’s limited nuclear counterattack ability is entirely for deterrence against possible nuclear attacks by other countries.

Second, China’s national security problems

1. Taiwan question. Taiwan question still remains the top priority of our country’s national security concern. At present, the economic, trade, cultural and personnel exchanges between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan have been developing steadily, and the overall situation in the cross-Straits relations has remained basically unchanged. However, the root cause of tension between the two sides has not been eliminated. Now with the complete exposure of Taiwan authority’s true nature of pursuing Taiwan independence and national dismemberment, the Taiwan separatist forces are the biggest threat to the peace and stability in China and the Asia-Pacific region as a whole. We shall do our utmost with the maximum sincerity to strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification of China on the basis of “one country, two systems”. However, if the Taiwan leaders should provoke any major incidents of Taiwan independence, the Chinese people are ready to crush their schemes firmly and thoroughly at any cost.

2. “East Turkistan” terrorism. “East Turkistan” terrorist organizations such as the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), the East Turkistan Liberation Organization (ETLO), the World Uygur Youth Congress (WUYC) and the East Turkistan Information Center (ETIC) had close connections with (Osama) Bin Laden’s Al-Qaeda organization. They had organized and conducted a series of terrorist activities in Chinese Xinjiang and other relevant countries including bombing, assassination, arson and poisoning. These terrorist activities seriously harmed people’s lives and property as well as the security and social stability in China, and posed a real threat to the stability in some other countries and regions. We are resolute in combating “East Turkistan” terrorist forces, protecting the lives and interests of Chinese people of all ethnic groups, maintaining national unification, and safeguarding the stability in Xinjiang autonomous region and its surrounding areas. In its fight against the “East Turkistan” terrorist forces, the Chinese government is determined to protect the fundamental human rights and interests of all the Chinese citizens including those of Uygur ethnic origin.

3. Tibet issue. Tibet is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory. The friendly exchanges between Tibetans and other Chinese people had a long history. For centuries, Tibetans lived in harmony and amity with other Chinese of different ethnic origins, enduring hardship and sharing happiness together in a joint effort to achieve common development. China’s policy towards Dalai Lama has been consistent, namely, if he admits publicly that Tibet and Taiwan are an inalienable part of China, immediately stops his separatist activities and renounces his position for “Tibetan independence”, then the Central Government is ready to contact and negotiate with him. Meanwhile, the Chinese government shall continue to take positive measures to promote the construction and economic growth of Tibet, enhance the unity of various ethnic groups, further develop Tibetan culture and improve the people's livelihood.

Now a few words on the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsular. To maintain peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula is of vital importance to China, Asia and the world as well. China’s basic position on this issue is that the Peninsula should be free of nuclear weapons, its peace and stability should be maintained and the nuclear issue should be solved through peaceful talks. We are glad to see that, thanks to the joint efforts of all the parties concerned, the issue is now being discussed for the purpose of finding a peaceful resolution. So far, the six parties concerned have conducted two rounds of talks in Beijing. As a result, the once tense situation on the Peninsular has been relaxed. We sincerely hope that, all parties concerned could, in the spirit of mutual respect and consultation on an equal footing, gradually narrow their differences and widen their common ground by building mutual trust so as to settle this issue through dialogues as early as possible, thus bringing about a lasting peace to the Peninsular. The Chinese side will, as always, play an active and constructive role in maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsular.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Now, I’d like to move on to the Sino-Philippine military relations.

The Philippines is the first Southeast Asian country that established diplomatic relations with China in 1975. Since then, our two countries have enjoyed a stable development of political relations featured by enhanced mutual trust and rapid development of economic and trade cooperation. Meanwhile, our cooperation in the military, cultural, scientific and technological fields has also developed continuously. The Chinese Government supports the unremitting efforts of the Philippine Government in safeguarding its national integrity and social stability, particularly the peace process in the South. Our two sides have also maintained good communications and coordination in areas of regional and international security. We may say that, thanks to our joint efforts over the years, the Sino-Philippine relations have gradually matured into a new phase of comprehensive development, thus marking the best period in our bilateral history.

China and the Philippines share a large measure of common ground. However, due to some historic reasons, our two countries also have disputes over certain issues.  During President Arroyo’s visit to China in 2001, the leaders of our two countries reached an important consensus on using peaceful means to settle disputes and they also agreed that the existing differences between our two countries should not become an obstacle to upset our bilateral relations. This important consensus paves the way to bring about a mutually beneficial win-win scenario by enhancing mutual political trust and stepping up all-round cooperation.

Military exchanges and cooperation are important aspects of our bilateral relations. In November 1996, China and the Philippines agreed to establish a formal channel for military exchanges by setting up military attaché’s office in each other’s capital. Over the years, these offices have made positive contribution to promoting mutual trust and common understanding. In addition to high-level military visits, the two sides also set up a mechanism for regular intelligence exchange and provided more opportunities for military personnel exchange and academic discussion. However, frankly speaking, our military exchanges are relatively lagging behind as compared with the cooperation of our two countries in other areas. In the future, we are ready to strengthen our cooperation and coordination in such fields as military science, intelligence, training of officers and security consultations so as to make active contribution to maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

Ladies and gentlemen,

China’s economy has developed rapidly over the past 25 years. As a result, the living standard of the Chinese people has improved remarkably and the country’s overall strength has grown steadily. China, a country with a population of 1.3 billion, is on the rise. Looking back in history, one may notice that the rise of a major power would clash with the interests of other countries, and such clash might even lead to conflicts or wars. Now let me tell you in explicit terms, China shall never take the road of seeking hegemony nor committing aggression against others, and China’s rise is a peaceful one. Let me share with you my views on why China has chosen the road to peaceful rise.

First, China needs a peaceful external environment. China began to implement the policy of reform and opening-up in 1978. The past 25 years have witnessed the most rapid economic growth of China since the Opium War in 1840. Such rapid economic development can only be achieved with domestic stability in China and a peaceful international environment. To disturb the current peaceful international environment benefits no China’s interest.

Second, China’s rise is mainly based on her own strength. Historically, China was the strongest economy in the world for a long period of time. In this respect, China’s recent economic achievements are just a modest step towards the rejuvenation of a great nation. China is a country with a vast domestic market, abundant supply of labor forces, solid capital reserves and new mechanism innovations inspired by the reform and opening-up policy. Therefore, China shall not develop herself by plundering or invading others like some countries did in the past in history.

Third, China’s rise poses threat to no one. The Chinese nation has long cherished a fine cultural tradition of “harmony is the most precious” since ancient times. A strong China shall not harm, threaten or sacrifice any country. During the 1997 Asian financial crisis, when some Asian countries and regions devalued their currencies one after another to protect their own economies, China, which was far from being rich herself, made the important decision to keep Chinese currency stable. China’s efforts greatly reduced the financial pressure on the Asian countries and helped them overcome the financial crisis rapidly. The Chinese will never drop stones on her neighbor next door who has fallen into a well, so to speak. Over the past century, the Chinese nation suffered from repeated foreign invasions and humiliation. We understood deeply the tremendous pain of being enslaved and humiliated. As an old Chinese saying goes “Do not do unto others what you would not be done by”. A strong China and its people will never inflict the same pain on any people of any country in the world.

Fourth, China’s rise is inseparable from the development of the whole world. In 2003, China attracted US$57 billion direct foreign investment, second only to the United States. The gross foreign trade volume of China last year reached US$851.2billion, becoming the fourth largest trading nation by replacing France. It is projected that China’s foreign trade this year may reach US$1 trillion, becoming the third largest trader by overtaking Japan. Let us take ASEAN for example. China’s trade volume with ASEAN countries increased by 6 times in the past 10 years, reaching US$54.77 billion last year. The volume is expected to reach US$100 billion next year. It is clear to all that without peace and development of the entire world, the rise of China will be out of the question.

Fifth, China’s rise takes a considerably long period of time. Now the Chinese population is 1.3 billion and will reach its peak of 1.5 billion by 2020. By then, it may decline gradually. At present, China’s GDP stands at the record high of US$1.4 trillion, however its per capita GDP is only US$1000. That is to say, China’s per capita GDP increases by every US$1000, its total GDP volume has to increase at least by another US$1.4 trillion. To improve the living standard of one fifth of the world population itself is an enormous contribution to the progress of humanity and at the same time is also an extremely hard task, the completion of which will require the sustained hard work of several generations or even a dozen of generations in China.

Sixth, the ultimate purpose of China’s rise is to safeguard world peace. The peaceful rise of China will provide a new development pattern for major countries, thus having important impact on the international relations. The development of China represents an increase in the strength of peace. A stable and developed China will make more positive contribution to and play an irreplaceable role in maintaining the stability and prosperity of Asia and the entire world.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We, the Chinese people as well as people of all other countries, do not want to see a new hot war or cold war or turmoil breaking out in any part of the world, dot not want to see any country or group of countries pursue hegemony and power politics, and do not want to see any further widening of the gap between North and South or between the rich and the poor. Therefore, China will, together with all other countries, strive to create an international environment of long-lasting peace, stability and security. China is always a firm and reliable force for safeguarding world peace and promoting common development.

With that I conclude my speech and thank you for your patience!