Growth and peace top China’s national security agenda

Second, safeguarding the safety of the people is the ultimate goal for national security.

During the visit, President Xi said that "the Chinese dream is fundamentally about making life better for the Chinese people", and "the Americans and people in all other countries share the same dream about the future: world peace, social security and stability, and a decent life". To make the dreams come true for the Chinese and peoples around the world, it will be a mission impossible "without a peaceful international environment and a stable international order". These statements manifest that, in the heart of the Chinese leader, the pursuit for a happy and peaceful life is an extremely important task, and is the fundamental driver for creating a favorable internal security environment.

By upholding the safety of the people as the fundamental goal, it means that the national security is for the people and by the people, and the improvement in people's sense of and satisfaction level about security should be the fundamental starting point and goal of the national security construction. To guarantee the safety of the people, it means that the people can live and work in peace and contentment, and the society is stable and orderly. Only when the people wholeheartedly support the construction of national security, could the goal of long-term peace and stability be achieved.

Third, ensuring sustainable development is the basis for national security.

President Xi has always paid particular attention to development. He stressed "development remains China's top priority". The Chinese economy, based on the sound foundation and momentum of growth, is on the right track for a brighter future. He said that China will, through deepening reforms and vigorously transforming the growth mode, strengthen the momentum for economic development. To cope with global challenges, "the fundamental way out is to seek peace and achieve development." Chinese leaders always stress the importance of development, because development and security are considered to be China's two major tasks, and also two major issues with direct bearing on the future of the world.

The Chinese government believes that development is key in solving all problems in China. Development is the foundation for security, and security is the guarantee for development.

At present, a focal point for national security is to effectively prevent and cope with risks and challenges that might seriously impair the country's process of sustainable development. To follow the development path characterized by justice, openness and innovation and to achieve common prosperity has become an important approach for China to realize the goal of common security.

Fourth, forging a new type of international relations is the natural choice for national security.

President Xi has urged to "build a new type of international relations featuring win-win cooperation, and create a community of shared future for mankind". It is widely believed that "China owes much of its progress in development over the past decades to international cooperation". China has repeatedly urged all countries to "replace confrontation and domination with win-win cooperation, and adopt a new thinking of building partnerships, so as to jointly open up a new vista of common development and shared security". The Chinese president particularly stressed that "win-win cooperation is the only correct choice for China-US relations". The perception incorporates development, security and cooperation, and will help inspire and lead the evolution of international relations in the future.