China News Service:

The white paper mentions that the strategic guidance for China's national defense in the new era is to implement the military strategic guideline for a new era. Could you further introduce the strategic guideline? Thank you.

Cai Zhijun:

Thank you for your question. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the PLA has inherited the strategic concept and tradition of active defense and made eight major adjustments to the military strategic guideline, on average once every eight to ten years. Every adjustment was made in accordance with three principles: first, the strategic concept and military policies of the CPC are the fundamental guidance for formulating and adjusting military strategy; second, the profound changes of the international strategic landscape and its impact on national security environment are the objective reference; and third, the profound changes in military regard resulted from scientific and technological progress, especially the evolving form of war, are the motivation. 

The military strategic guideline for a new era is an important decision made by President Xi Jinping after tapping into the prevailing trend of development, with an overall vision on national security and innovation on military strategic guidance. The guideline is introduced in the following contexts: 

First, the Party's new theories have been constantly enriched and developed. The 19th CPC National Congress established Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and Xi Jinping's thinking on strengthening the military as the guiding ideology of the Party and the military, requiring us to advance with the times and innovate the strategic guidance.

Second, there are new strategic goals for national development. The 19th CPC National Congress mapped out the new "three-step" development blueprint, which entrusts the military with missions and tasks for the new era, and put forward the ambitious goal of transforming our people's armed forces into world-class forces in all respects, which demands the strategic guidance to meet the requirements of building a strong country with a strong military.

Third, the international strategic landscape has undergone profound and complicated changes. We live in a world of profound changes unseen in a century, where uncertainties unseen in a century inevitably exist. Increasing risks and challenges, both predictable and unpredictable, require the strategic guidance to better respond to national security and development demands. 

Fourth, reforms of the armed forces have realized a historic and revolutionary restructuring. Adhering to the general principle of "the CMC exercising overall leadership, the TCs responsible for military operations and the services focusing on developing capabilities," we established five theater commands, new services and units. This has put forward new requirements for the strategic guidance in regard to the building and employment of military forces.

By implementing the military strategic guideline for a new era, China will remain committed to peaceful development and pursue a defensive national defense policy, never seeking hegemony, expansion or spheres of influence, sticking to the strategic concept of active defense and continuing to strengthen the military in the Chinese way. The guideline fully put into effect the guiding principles of the 19th CPC National Congress as well as Xi Jinping's thinking on strengthening the military. As a guideline for the building and employment of military forces in the new era, it bears four historic missions:

First, it has established the fundamental guidance for military strategy. It established Xi Jinping's thinking on strengthening the military as the military strategic guidance for a new era, and fully implements it as faith and principle.

Second, it is subordinate to and in the service of national development. Focusing on effectively fulfilling the military's tasks and missions in the new era, it, through in-depth study, gives answers to a string of major strategic issues concerning the critical juncture of China's development. 

Third, it has enhanced the holistic planning of the military strategy. It takes a political and comprehensive perspective, basing in the present while looking ahead to the development, seizing the strategic key point, so as to innovate the strategic guidance. 

Fourth, it has stressed the focus on enhancing military preparedness and combat capabilities. It has prompted all work serving the aim of strengthening military preparedness and enhancing combat capabilities and made significant achievements in this regard. Thank you.