2nd Ld: China rolls out military roadmap of "active defense" strategy

China issued its first white paper on military strategy on Tuesday, stressing the "active defense" guideline and pledging closer international security cooperation.

The strategy adheres to the unity of strategic defense and operational and tactical offense, according to the white paper "China's Military Strategy" issued by the State Council Information Office.

"We will not attack unless we are attacked, but we will surely counterattack if attacked," the paper says.

In line with the evolving form of war and national security situation, the basic point for preparation for military struggle of China's armed forces will be placed on "winning informationized local wars," according to the paper.

The armed forces will strengthen international security cooperation in areas crucially related to China's overseas interests, the paper says.

The paper highlights four "critical security domains", including the ocean, the outer space, cyberspace and nuclear force.

The PLA Navy will gradually shift its focus from the sole strategy of "offshore waters defense" to the combined one of "offshore waters defense" and "open seas protection", the paper says.

The country will speed up the development of a cyber force to tackle "grave security threats" to its cyber infrastructure, it says.

It opposes weaponization of and arms race in outer space and vows to secure its space assets.

The country will never enter into a nuclear arms race with any other country, according to the paper.

China also pledges to provide more public security goods and contribute more to world peace.

INCREASING THREATS

A world war is unlikely in the foreseeable future and the international situation is expected to remain generally peaceful, according to the paper.

It, however, also notes new threats from hegemonism, power politics and neo-interventionism.

Small-scale wars, conflicts and crises are recurrent in some regions. Therefore, the world still faces both immediate and potential threats of local wars, it says.

China will remain in an important period of strategic opportunities for its development, but the country also faces multiple and complex security threats, as well as increasing external impediments and challenges, leaving China an arduous task to safeguard its national unification, territorial integrity and development interests, the paper says.

The paper warns of threats to China's maritime rights and interests.

Some of its offshore neighbors take provocative actions and reinforce their military presence on China's reefs and islands that they have illegally occupied. Some external countries are also busy meddling in South China Sea affairs; a tiny few maintain constant close-in air and sea surveillance and reconnaissance against China, the paper notes.

China will unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development and pursue an independent foreign policy of peace and a national defense policy that is defensive in nature, according to the paper.

The country opposes hegemonism and power politics in all forms, and will never seek hegemony or expansion. China's armed forces will remain a staunch force in maintaining world peace, it says. Endi