For the first time， the phrase “never seeking hegemony， expansion or spheres of infl uence” has been added to a government white paper as a distinctive feature of China’s national defense in the new era.
　　The report， under the title China’s National Defense in the New Era， was re- leased by the State Council Information Offi ce on July 24.
　　Zhao Dexi， a researcher with the Academy of Military Science of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army （PLA） and one of the authors of the white paper， said the statement is a solemn commitment China makes to the world.
　　According to Zhao， a few countries actively hype the “China threat” rhetoric for the purpose of containing and clamping down on China， but some countries believe it and worry that China will follow the beaten track of big powers in seeking hegemony. To clear the air， ease doubts and enhance mutual trust， the new white paper added the phrase and declared that China will never infl ict suffering—such as the Chinese people endured from aggressions and wars—on any other country. The development of China’s national defense aims to meet its rightful security needs and contribute to the growth of the world’s peace forces.

Clear positions

　　The white paper is the 10th on the county’s national defense since 1998 and the first since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China （CPC） in 2012， which called on the country to accelerate the modernization of its national defense and armed forces.

　　Its main texts are divided into six chapters which cover the international security situation， China’s defensive national defense policy in the new era， the missions and tasks of China’s armed forces in the new era， reform in national defense and armed forces， defense expenditure and international military cooperation.
　　The white paper objectively analyzes the international security situation and China’s security environment， noting that the world today is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century， with prominent destabilizing factors and uncertainties in international security， Wu Qian， a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense （MND）， said at a press conference in Beijing on the day of its release. 　　Despite obstacles， the pursuit of peace， stability and development has become the universal aspiration of the international community， with forces for peace predominating over elements of war. Peace， development and win-win cooperation remain the irreversible trend of the times.
　　The report points out that the AsiaPacifi c security situation remains generally stable. China continues to enjoy political stability， ethnic unity and social stability， but also faces diverse and complex securi- ty threats and challenges， especially as the fi ght against separatist elements becomes more acute.
　　“The fundamental goal of China’s national defense today is to resolutely safeguard its sovereignty， security and development interests，” Zhao said.
　　China has also made efforts to deepen bilateral and multilateral security cooperation， promote a coordinated， inclusive and complementary cooperation among security mechanisms. These endeavors are benefi cial for the international community to recognize， understand and support China’s national defense policy， especially its military and security strategies， according to Zhao.
　　The white paper also points out that China exercises its national sovereignty to build infrastructure and deploy necessary defensive capabilities on the islands and reefs in the South China Sea， as well as to conduct patrols in the waters of the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea.
　　China firmly upholds the freedom of navigation and overfl ight by all countries in accordance with international law， and safeguards the security of sea lines of communication， the document states.

　　It safeguards its maritime rights and interests， security interests in outer space， electromagnetic space and cyberspace， and overseas interests. “Countries are developing relative forces in these fi elds and some are for military use. The white paper states China’s policy and solutions， which are benefi cial for both maintaining national development interests and contributing to safeguarding world peace and development，” Zhao said.

Persistent reforms

　　Chen Yue， an associate researcher with the PLA Academy of Military Science and another of the authors of the white paper， said the document， with a distinct epochal character， is comprehensive and innovative and serves as an assertion of China’s goal to resolutely safeguard its sovereignty and security.