Greater military deterrence vital for unified China
- Source: Global Times
- [01:18 January 13 2010]
- Comments
Despite the Chinese Foreign Ministry's claim about the defensive nature of the antimissile test, the juncture at which it was conducted has triggered speculation in some Western media outlets.
Timing is not the only reason for the speculation. Though it is still too early to conclude whether its significance is comparable to that of the first Chinese atomic bomb test in 1964 – as hailed by some Chinese netizens – there can be no doubt that it has strengthened China's military deterrence.
As seen in the military parade on the 60th anniversary of PRC's founding, it is the maturing power demonstrated in the ground-based mid-range missile interception system that has impressed the world and put some on notice.
With missile technology being a key capability that Chinese military modernization has focused upon, the success of the test can play a crucial balancing and deterring role in missile interception technology, which was hitherto the monopoly of the preeminent conventional military powers.
After a long journey from a poorly-equipped peasants' army to one with advanced antimissile technologies and homemade weaponry, the Chinese army has caught up in military modernization at a fast pace. But it has far to go in boosting deterrence to serve its core national interests.
Even in the antimissile interception technologies, which have given rise to so much public confidence and pride, a big gap remains. Take the US for example. Antimissile tests started in the 1980s, and interceptor missiles have been deployed in various places. But the Chinese ones are still at a primitive stage, and more efforts need to be made to sharpen their fighting edge for more powerful deterrence.
Contrary to Western assumptions, China's development of deterrence has always been defensive.
The Chinese concept of deterrence, as spelled out in the saying, "the supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting," is a core strategy long adopted by Chinese armed forces.
Whether it is made up of defense elements including missiles and nuclear weapons, or non-military muscle such as economic strength, deterrence has been central to defending sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unification, besides foiling conspiracies of separatist and subversive forces.
Numerous instances can be cited to show that China's deterrent power has also played a key role in maintaining regional and world peace and stability.
Greater military deterrence is vital for a unified and safe China, and is in the fundamental interests of the nation. None can stop China from pursuing this goal.
