White Paper on China's National Defense in 2002
"Full Text" of white paper issued by the PRC Information
Office of State Council on 9 December, 2002: "China's National Defense
in 2002"
Foreword
The world needs peace, the people want cooperation, nations long for
development and society aspires for progress. These are the
irresistible trends of our times. The Chinese people, like the people
of all other countries, do not want to see any new war, hot or cold, and
turbulence in any region of the world, but yearn for lasting peace,
stability and tranquility, as well as common development and universal
prosperity in the world.
China has entered the new phase of development for building a
well-off society in an all-round way and speeding up socialist
modernization. To continue to propel the modernization drive, to
achieve national reunification of the motherland, and to safeguard world
peace and promote common development are the three historical tasks of
the Chinese people in the new century. The 16th National Congress of
the Communist Party of China, which attracted worldwide attention, has
drawn up a grand blueprint for China's development in the new century.
A developing China needs a peaceful international environment and a
favorable climate in its periphery. And its development will make even
greater contributions to world peace and human progress. China
steadfastly follows a road of peaceful development, pursues an
independent foreign policy of peace and implements a national defense
policy that is defensive in nature.
To further introduce China's national defense policy and progress in
national defense development in the past two years, this white paper,
China's National Defense in 2002, is hereby published.
I. The Security Situation
The international situation is undergoing profound changes as the
world has entered the new century. World multi-polarization and
economic globalization are developing amid twists and turns. Science
and technology are advancing with each passing day. Competition in the
overall national strength has become increasingly fierce. And mankind
is faced with new opportunities for development and new challenges.
Peace and development remain the themes of the present era.
Economic interdependence among nations has been deepened. The role
played by global and regional economic cooperation organizations is on
the increase. And economic security has been given even more attention.
Economic development, scientific and technological progress, and the
enhancement of overall national strength are the main strategic trends of
all countries. The major countries, while cooperating with and seeking
support from each other, are nonetheless checking on and competing with
one another. But since the terrorist attacks against the United States
on September 11, 2001, they have stepped up their coordination and
cooperation. The developing countries are actively pushing forward the
establishment of a fair and rational new international order, and playing
an important role in the promotion of world peace and development. A
new world war is unlikely in the foreseeable future. To preserve peace
and promote development represents the common aspiration of all peoples.
The Asia-Pacific region has, on the whole, continued to enjoy its
peace and stability, and remains the most dynamic region economically
with the greatest development potential in the world. Strengthening
dialogue and cooperation, maintaining regional stability and promoting
common development have become the mainstream policy of the Asian
countries. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is heading for
closer cooperation. The cooperation in East Asia with the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China, Japan and the Republic of
Korea (10+3) as the major channel, has become more practical. China and
the ASEAN have reached consensus on the establishment of a free trade
area within 10 years, initiating full cooperation in the field of
non-traditional security issues. Cooperation for the development of the
Mekong River valley is about to unfold. The ASEAN Regional Forum has
made substantive achievements in the transition from confidence-building
measures to preventive diplomacy. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization
(SCO) has made outstanding progress in building mutual trust and
developing state-to-state relationship based on partnership rather than
alliance, as well as in anti- terrorism cooperation. The reconstruction
of Afghanistan is under way. The situation in the South China Sea area
has been basically stable, as the relevant countries have signed the
Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.
However, uncertainties impeding peace and development are also on the
increase. The world is far from being tranquil. The old international
political and economic order, which is unfair and irrational, has yet to
be changed fundamentally. Economic development of the world is
materially unbalanced, and the North- South gap is further widening.
The developing countries have gained less from the economic globalization
process, and some of them are in danger of being marginalized.
Democracy in international relations remains elusive, and there are new
manifestations of hegemonism and power politics. In certain regions,
disputes caused by ethnic, religious, territorial, resources or other
issues crop up from time to time, leading even to armed conflicts and
local wars. Terrorism, transnational crimes, environmental degradation,
drug trafficking and other non- traditional security threats are becoming
more and more pronounced. Terrorism, in particular, is posing a real
threat to both global and regional security.
Rapid and drastic changes are taking place in the military field
around the world, and a new serious disequilibrium has occurred in the
balance of military power. The extensive applications in the military
field of new and high technologies led by IT have stretched the
battlefield into multidimensional space which includes the land, sea,
air, outer space and electron. Medium- and long-distance precision
strikes have become an important pattern of operations. The form of war
is becoming increasingly information-oriented. All major countries have
made adjustments in their military strategies and stepped up the
modernization by relying on high technologies. As far as military
technology is concerned, the gap between the developed and developing
countries is wider than ever before. The developing countries are
facing a serious challenge in their effort to safeguard sovereignty and
security.
Factors of instability still exist in the Asia-Pacific region.
Traditional security problems left over from history are yet to be
resolved, and new ones have appeared. In certain countries, non-
traditional security issues are looming large. The danger posed by
terrorist, separatist and extremist forces to the region's security
cannot be rooted out in a short time. Tension in South Asia has not
been fundamentally changed. Afghanistan has not regained full
stability. Reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula is moving haltingly.
Certain countries are stepping up their military deployment and
strengthening their military alliances in the Asia- Pacific region.
Other countries have time and again enlarged the terms of reference and
scope of operations of their armed forces.
The basic pattern and trend of development in the cross-Taiwan
Straits relationship remain unchanged. As the Taiwan compatriots are
more vocal in their demand for peace, tranquility and development,
cross-Straits economic, trade, cultural and personnel exchanges have
become more frequent, and the opening of three direct links in mail, air
and shipping, and trade between the two sides represents the popular will
and the trend of the times. But the root cause of tension between the
two sides has not been eliminated. While refusing to accept the
one-China principle, and stubbornly clinging to the position of "Taiwan
independence," the leader of Taiwan has even gone so far as to dish up
the separatist proposition of "one country on each side," and carried out
all sorts of separatist moves with an incremental tactic. The Taiwan
separatist force is the biggest threat to peace and stability in the
Taiwan Straits. By continuing to sell weapons and military equipment to
Taiwan and elevating relations with the Taiwan authorities, a handful of
countries have interfered in China's internal affairs, inflated the
arrogance of the separatist forces and undermined China's peaceful
reunification.
Threats to world security have come in multiple forms and assumed
global dimension, which has increased the common interests of countries
on the issue of security. To enhance mutual trust through dialogue, to
promote common security through cooperation, and to cultivate a new
security concept featuring mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and
cooperation, have become the requirements of the trend of our era.
China is always a staunch force for safeguarding world peace and
promoting common development. China will unremittingly put the new
security concept into practice, oppose all kinds of hegemonism and power
politics, and combat terrorism in all forms and manifestations. China
will strive, together with other countries in the world, to create an
international environment of long-term peace, stability and security.
II. National Defense Policy
Strengthening national defense is a strategic task in China's
modernization drive, and a key guarantee for safeguarding China's
security and unity and building a well-off society in an all-round way.
China has consistently pursued a national defense policy that is
defensive in nature.
The fundamental basis for the formulation of China's national defense
policy is China's national interests. It primarily includes:
safeguarding state sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and
security; upholding economic development as the central task and
unremittingly enhancing the overall national strength; adhering to and
improving the socialist system; maintaining and promoting social
stability and harmony; and striving for an international environment of
lasting peace and a favorable climate in China's periphery. China takes
all measures necessary to safeguard its national interests and, at the
same time, respects the interests of other countries, standing for
peaceful settlement of disputes and differences among nations by means of
consultation.
The goals and tasks of China's national defense are, in the main, as
follows:
-- To consolidate national defense, prevent and resist aggression.
China's territorial land, inland waters, territorial seas and territorial
airspace are inviolable. In accordance with the requirements of
national defense in the new situation, China persists in unified
leadership over national defense activities, pursues the principle of
independence and self-defense by the whole people, implements the
military strategy of active defense, strengthens the building of its
armed forces and that of its frontier defense, sea defense and air
defense, takes effective defensive and administrative measures to defend
national security and safeguard its maritime rights and interests. In
the event of aggressions, China will resolutely resist in accordance with
the Constitution and laws.
-- To stop separation and realize complete reunification of the
motherland.
China is a unitary multi-ethnic country jointly created by its people
of all ethnic groups. The Chinese government forbids discrimination and
oppression against any ethnic group, as well as any act aimed at
undermining ethnic harmony and splitting the country. Taiwan is an
inalienable part of China. The Chinese government will, in keeping with
the basic principles of "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two
systems" and the eight-point proposal on developing cross-Straits
relations and advancing the process of peaceful national reunification at
the present stage, strive for prospects of peaceful reunification with
the utmost sincerity and the maximum effort. But it will not forswear
the use of force. China resolutely opposes arms sales to Taiwan or
entering into a military alliance in any form with Taiwan by any country.
China's armed forces will unswervingly defend the country's
sovereignty and unity, and have the resolve as well as the capability to
check any separatist act.
-- To stop armed subversion and safeguard social stability.
China's Constitution and laws prohibit any organization or individual
from organizing, plotting or carrying out armed rebellion or riot to
subvert the state power or overthrow the socialist system. China
opposes all forms of terrorism, separatism and extremism. Regarding
maintenance of public order and social stability in accordance with the
law as their important duty, the Chinese armed forces will strike hard at
terrorist activities of any kind, crush infiltration and sabotaging
activities by hostile forces, and crack down on all criminal activities
that threaten public order, so as to promote social stability and
harmony.
-- To accelerate national defense development and achieve national
defense and military modernization.
China follows an approach of coordinating national defense building
and economic development, striving for a high cost- effectiveness and
promoting defense and military modernization on the basis of economic
growth. Taking Mao Zedong's military thinking and Deng Xiaoping's
thinking on armed forces building in the new period as the guide to
action, and fully implementing the important thought of the "Three
Represents," (meaning the Communist Party of China must always represent
the requirements of the development of China's advanced productive
forces, the orientation of the development of China's advanced culture,
and the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the people
in China) the Chinese military persists in taking the road of fewer but
better troops with Chinese characteristics, pushes forward the various
reforms in response to the trend in military changes in the world, and
strives to accomplish the historical tasks of mechanization and IT
application, thereby bringing about leapfrog development in the
modernization of the military.
-- To safeguard world peace and oppose aggression and expansion.
China will never seek hegemony, nor will it join any military bloc or
crave for any sphere of influence. China opposes policies of war,
aggression and expansion, stands against arms race and supports efforts
of the international community to solve international disputes in a fair
and reasonable manner. It endorses all activities conducive to
maintaining the global strategic balance and stability, and actively
participates in international cooperation against terrorism.
China implements a military strategy of active defense.
Strategically, China pursues a principle featuring defensive operations,
self-defense and attack only after being attacked. In response to the
profound changes in the world's military field and the requirements of
the national development strategy, China has formulated a military
strategic guideline of active defense in the new period.
This guideline is based on winning local wars under modern,
especially high-tech conditions. In view of the various factors
threatening national security, China has prepared for defensive operation
under the most difficult and complex circumstances. The People's
Liberation Army (PLA), in implementing the strategy of building a strong
military through science and technology, has accelerated the R&D of
defense weaponry and equipment, trained high-quality military personnel
of a new type, established a scientific organizational structure,
developed theories for military operations with Chinese characteristics,
and strengthened its capability for joint, mobile and multi-purpose
operations.
This guideline stresses the deterrence of war. In accordance with
the needs of the national development strategy, the PLA, by employing
military means flexibly and in close coordination with political,
economic and diplomatic endeavors, improves China's strategic
environment, reduces factors of insecurity and instability, and prevents
local wars and armed conflicts so as to keep the country from the harm of
war. China consistently upholds the policy of no first use of nuclear
weapons, and adopts an extremely restrained attitude toward the
development of nuclear weapons. China has never participated in any
nuclear arms race and never deployed nuclear weapons abroad. China's
limited nuclear counterattack ability is entirely for deterrence against
possible nuclear attacks by other countries.
This guideline highlights and carries forward the concept of people's
war. In the face of new changes in modern warfare, China persists in
relying on the people in national defense building, enhancing the popular
awareness of national defense, and instituting an armed force system of
combining a small but capable standing army with a powerful reserve
force; upholds the principle of combining peacetime footing with wartime
footing, uniting the army with the people, and having a reserve among the
people, improving the mobilization mechanism with expanded mobilization
scope, and establishing a national defense mobilization system in line
with the requirements of modern warfare; and adheres to flexible
applications of strategies and tactics, creating new ways of fighting so
as to give fuller play to the strength of a people's war.
III. The Armed Forces
The armed forces of the People's Republic of China (PRC) are composed
of the People's Liberation Army, the Chinese People's Armed Police Force
and the militia. The Central Military Commission (CMC) of the PRC
directs and assumes unified command of the nation's armed forces.
The People's Liberation Army
The PLA is a people's army created and led by the Communist Party of
China (CPC), and the principal body of China's armed forces. The PLA is
made up of both active and reserve components. Its total force is
maintained below the 2,500,000-strong mark. The active components of
the PLA are the country's standing army, consisting of the Army, Navy,
Air Force and the Second Artillery Force, whose main task is to conduct
operations of defense, and, if necessary, help to maintain social order
in accordance with the law. Through the General Staff Headquarters, the
General Political Department, the General Logistics Department and the
General Armaments Department, the CMC exercises operational command over
the whole PLA and leadership for the development of the PLA.
The PLA was established on August 1, 1927, and consisted of land
forces only in its early days. The Army is responsible primarily for
military operations on land. At present, the Army has no independent
leading organ, and the functions of the leading organ are exercised by
the four general headquarters/departments. The seven military area
commands, namely, those of Shenyang, Beijing, Lanzhou, Jinan, Nanjing,
Guangzhou and Chengdu, exercise direct leadership over the Army units
under their command. The Army has such arms as infantry, armor,
artillery, air defense, Army aviation, engineering, chemical defense and
communications, as well as other specialized units such as those of
electronic counter-measure (ECM), reconnaissance and mapping. The
infantry, maneuvering and operating on foot or on armored personnel
carriers or infantry fighting vehicles, is composed of mountain infantry,
motorized infantry and mechanized infantry (armored infantry). The
armored corps (tank corps), equipped basically with tanks and other
armored vehicles and support vehicles, carries out ground assaults. The
artillery corps, equipped basically with artillery for suppression and
anti-tank purposes, and missiles for antitank and other
operational-tactical purposes, carries out ground fire strikes. The air
defense corps, equipped basically with anti- aircraft artillery and
ground-to-air missile systems, carries out ground-to-air operations.
The Army aviation corps, equipped with attack, transport, and other
specialized helicopters and light fixed-wing aircraft, carries out air
maneuvers and provides support for ground operations. The engineering
corps, responsible for engineering support, is composed of engineering
and other specialized units of pontoons, construction, camouflage, field
water supply, and engineering maintenance. The chemical defense corps,
responsible for chemical defense operations, is composed of chemical
defense, flame-throwing and smoke-generating units. The communications
corps, responsible for military communications, is composed of
specialized units engaged in communications, communications engineering,
communications technical support, aviation navigation and military postal
service. The Army, in accordance with its different duties and
responsibilities, is also divided into field mobile, sea border defense,
frontier defense, and garrison troops. The organizational order of the
field mobile troops is normally combined corps, division (brigade),
regiment, battalion, company, platoon and squad. The organizational
systems of the sea border defense, frontier defense and garrison troops
are decided in accordance with their operational tasks and geographical
conditions.
The Navy of the PLA was established on April 23, 1949. Its primary
missions are, independently or jointly with the Army and Air Force, to
guard against enemy invasion from the sea, defend the state's sovereignty
over its territorial waters, and safeguard the state's maritime rights
and interests. The Navy has such arms as the submarine, surface, naval
aviation, coastal defense and marine corps, as well as other specialized
units. Under the Navy, there are three fleets, namely, the Beihai,
Donghai and Nanhai fleets, as well as the Naval Aviation Department.
Each fleet has bases, maritime garrison commands, flotillas and squadrons
under its command. The submarine force is composed both of conventional
and nuclear-powered units, with underwater attack and some nuclear
counterattack capabilities respectively. The nuclear-powered submarine
force, which assumes the strategic nuclear counterattack mission, is
under the direct command of the CMC. The surface force has combat and
support units, which have anti-ship, anti-submarine, air defense, mine
warfare and shore attack capabilities. The naval aviation is composed
of bomber, fighter-bomber, attacker, fighter, anti-submarine and
reconnaissance units, and security, ECM, transport, rescue and air
refueling units, which have reconnaissance, security, anti-ship,
anti-submarine and air defense capabilities. The organizational order
is: Naval Aviation Department, fleet aviation, and aviation division and
regiment. The naval coastal defense force is composed of shore-to-ship
missile and coastal artillery units, which have capabilities to defend
China's coasts. The marine corps has infantry, artillery, armor and
engineering units, as well as reconnaissance, chemical defense and
communications units. It is a rapid assault force for amphibious
operations.
The Air Force of the PLA was established on November 11, 1949. Its
primary missions are organizing homeland air defense to protect the
territorial air, and providing air security for key facilities;
organizing relatively independent air offensive operations; independently
or jointly with the Army, the Navy or the Second Artillery Force,
engaging in joint operations against enemy invasion from the air, or in
conducting air strikes against the enemy. Adopting a system of
combining aviation with ground-to- air defense forces, the Air Force
consists of the aviation, surface-to-air missile, anti-aircraft artillery
and airborne units, as well as communications, radar, ECM, chemical
defense, technical reconnaissance and other specialized units. The Air
Force has an air command in each of the seven military areas of Shenyang,
Beijing, Lanzhou, Jinan, Nanjing, Guangzhou and Chengdu. In the major
direction and target zones, there are air corps or corps- level air
bases. The aviation is composed of fighter, attacker, bomber,
reconnaissance, transport and support units, usually in the
organizational order of division, regiment, group and squadron. An
aviation division generally has under its command two to three aviation
regiments and related stations. The aviation regiment is the basic
tactical unit. Due to differences in weaponry and tasks, the number of
aircraft in an aviation regiment ranges from 20 to 40. The ratio of
aircraft to pilots (aircrew) is usually 1:1.2. The ground-to-air
missile force and anti-aircraft artillery force are usually organized
into divisions (brigades), regiments, battalions and companies, and the
airborne force into corps, divisions, regiments, battalions and
companies.
The Second Artillery Force of the PLA was established on July 1,
1966. It is composed of the ground-to-ground strategic nuclear missile
force, the conventional operational-tactical missile force, and the
support units. The strategic nuclear missile force, under the direct
command of the CMC, constitutes the main part of China' s limited nuclear
counterattack capability. It is equipped with land-based strategic
nuclear missile systems. Its primary missions are to deter the enemy
from using nuclear weapons against China, and, in the case of a nuclear
attack by the enemy, to launch an effective counterattack in self-defense
independently or jointly with the strategic nuclear forces of other
services, at the order of the supreme command. The conventional
operational-tactical missile force is equipped with conventional
operational and tactical missile systems. Its task is to carry out fire
assaults with conventional missiles.
The PLA's reserve force, established in 1983, is a force with its own
preset organizational structure, with reserve personnel as the base and
active personnel as the backbone. The reserve force operates a unified
organizational system. The divisions, brigades and regiments of the
reserve force are conferred designations and military banners. The
reserve force implements orders and regulations of the PLA, and is
incorporated into the PLA's order of battle. In peacetime, it is led by
the provincial military districts or garrison commands, and in wartime,
after mobilization, it is commanded by the designated active unit or
carries out combat missions independently. It receives military
training in peacetime in accordance with the relevant regulations, and,
if necessary, helps to maintain social order in accordance with the law.
In wartime, it may be called into active service in pursuance of a state
mobilization order.
The PLA forces stationed in Hong Kong and Macao are under the direct
leadership of the CMC. The PLA Hong Kong Garrison is mainly composed of
ground, naval and air units. The PLA Macao Garrison is mainly composed
of a ground force, with some naval and air force personnel on its staff.
The Chinese People's Armed Police Force
The Chinese People's Armed Police Force was established on June 19,
1982. It consists of internal security forces, gold mine, forest, water
conservancy, electricity power, and transportation forces. The frontier
police force, fire brigades and security guards are also included into
the Armed Police Force. The internal security forces are composed of
contingents and mobile divisions. The Armed Police Force is constructed
in accordance with the PLA's guiding concept, purpose and principles of
army building, as well as its orders, rules and regulations, combined
with characteristics of the Armed Police Force. It implements the
Military Service Law of the PRC, and enjoys the same benefits as those of
the PLA. The basic missions of the Armed Police Force are to maintain
state security and social stability, protect facilities and objects
significant to the state, safeguard people' s lives and properties, and
assist the PLA in wartime in defensive operations.
The Armed Police Force is subordinate to the State Council, and is
under the dual leadership of the State Council and the CMC. The Armed
Police Force receives unified leadership and management, and its command
is delegated to a relevant organ at each level. The Armed Police Force
has three echelons of leadership, namely, general headquarters,
contingent (division) and detachment ( regiment). The General
Headquarters of the Armed Police Force, as the chief commanding organ of
the Armed Police Force, commands and administers internal security
forces, and gold mine, forest, water conservancy, electricity power, and
transportation forces. In the nationwide administrative hierarchy, the
Armed Police contingents, detachments, and squadrons are instituted at
province, prefecture, and county levels respectively. When performing a
public security task or relevant work, the Armed Police Force unit is
subordinate to the leadership and command of the public security organs
at the same level.
In peacetime, the tasks of the Armed Police Force include performing
guard duties at fixed points, dealing with contingencies, combating
terrorism and supporting national economic development. Guard duties at
fixed points chiefly mean, among others, security guard, watch and ward,
prison and detention guard, escort and patrol. It is specifically
responsible for protecting the security of state-designated objects to be
guarded, important visiting foreign dignitaries, leading organs of the
Party and government at and above the provincial level, embassies and
consulates of foreign countries in China, important national and
international conferences, and sites of large-scale cultural and sports
activities; posting peripheral armed guards at prisons and detention
houses; providing armed protection for key departments in charge of
confidential work and critical parts of important airports, radio
stations, state economic departments, and national defense works, as well
as important bridges and tunnels along trunk railway lines, and specially
designated large road bridges; and performing armed patrol and other
security duties in state-designated large and medium-sized cities or
specific zones. Dealing with contingencies chiefly means handling,
according to law, sudden illegal incidents endangering state security or
social order, such as revolts, riots and disturbances, fights with
weapons and other group activities that endanger public security.
Combating terrorism chiefly means performing anti- attack, anti-hijacking
and anti-explosion tasks. Supporting national economic development
chiefly means gold mine prospecting, preventing and fighting forest fire,
participation in key state energy and transportation projects, and
emergency rescue and disaster relief in cases of serious calamities.
The Militia
The militia is an armed mass organization not released from
production. It is a reserve force of the PLA and the basis for the
prosecution of a people's war under modern conditions. The General
Staff Headquarters administers the building of the militia under the
leadership of the State Council and the CMC. Under the command of
military organs, the militia in wartime helps the standing army in its
military operations, conducts independent operations, and provides combat
support and manpower replenishment for the standing army. In peacetime,
it undertakes the tasks of performing combat readiness support, taking
part in emergency rescue and disaster relief efforts, and maintaining
social order.
In accordance with provisions in the Military Service Law of the PRC,
male citizens from 18 to 35 years of age who are fit for military
service, excluding those enlisted for active service, shall be regimented
into militia units to perform reserve service. The militia has two
categories: the primary and the ordinary. A selected group of
militiamen under the age of 28, including soldiers discharged from active
service and other persons who have received or are selected for military
training, shall be regimented into the primary militia; other male
citizens belonging to the age group of 18 to 35, who are qualified for
reserve service shall be regimented into the ordinary militia. The
primary militia may recruit female citizens when necessary. Rural towns
and townships, administrative villages, urban sub-districts, and
enterprises and institutions of a certain scale are the basic units in
which the militia is organized. Primary militiamen are separately
organized for concentrated military training in militia military training
bases of administrative areas at the county level. Currently, there are
emergency detachments, and such specialized technical detachments as
anti-aircraft artillery, anti- aircraft machineguns, portable air defense
missiles, ground artillery, communications, chemical defense, engineering
and reconnaissance detachments.
To ensure that militiamen are always ready to respond to the call in
case of a contingency, the Chinese government has formulated a militia
combat readiness system, whereby combat readiness education is carried
out regularly among the militia with the purpose of enhancing their
national defense awareness, and exercises are conducted in accordance
with combat readiness plans to enhance the militia's operational
capabilities.
IV. National Defense Building
China's national defense building is an important part of the
country's modernization drive. To meet the needs of safeguarding its
national security, China insists on modernizing its national defense
according to its own conditions
Legal System
During the past two years, the legal system relating to China's
national defense has made much headway. In March 2000, the National
People's Congress (NPC) enacted the Legislation Law of the PRC, which for
the first time expressly defined the legislative power of the CMC and all
general headquarters/ departments, all services and arms, and all
military area commands. The CMC may formulate military statutes in
accordance with the Constitution and laws. The general
headquarters/departments, services and arms, and military area commands
may, within their respective authorities, formulate military regulations
in accordance with the law and the military statutes, decisions and
orders of the CMC. The military statutes and regulations are
implemented within the armed forces. Procedures for formulation,
amendment and nullification of military statutes and regulations shall be
stipulated by the CMC in accordance with the principles specified in the
provisions of the said Law. The above stipulations have provided for
the important position of the military legislative system within the
overall legislative system of the state.
Since 2000, China has issued 3 decisions, 56 statutes and 420
regulations in respect of laws and law-related issues concerning national
defense and armed forces building. The National Defense Education Law
of the PRC enacted by the Standing Committee of the NPC has provided a
legal basis for national defense education. The newly revised Law of
the PRC on Officers in Active Service has further perfected the military
service system pertaining to PLA officers. The State Council and the
CMC have joint1ly formulated the Implementation Measures for the Law of
the PRC on Protecting Military Facilities, which expressly provides for
the organizational leading system regarding the protection of military
facilities, as well as specific protection and penalty measures. The
newly revised Routine Service Regulations of the PLA and Discipline
Regulations of the PLA provide a powerful legal guarantee for enhancing
the effort of running the armed forces according to law under the new
conditions.
To safeguard the interests of national defense and the legitimate
rights and interests of military personnel in an age of reform and
opening-up, China has reformed its military judicial system. Authorized
by the Supreme People's Court of the PRC, military courts have begun to
adjudicate civil cases within the armed forces, including cases on
contract, marriage and family, real estate, intellectual property rights,
damage claims in medical accidents, and applications for adjudication of
the missing or death of servicemen, thus exercising the function of civil
adjudication inside the armed forces. Relevant organs of local
governments at various levels and the armed forces are trying to create a
favorable legal environment for national defense and armed forces
building by establishing and improving the mechanism of protecting the
legitimate rights and interests of the service personnel and their
families.
Under unified arrangement by the state, the Chinese armed forces
launched in 2001 the Fourth Five-Year Program on Education to Popularize
Knowledge of Laws. The main contents include studying the Constitution,
basic laws of the state and laws and regulations in relation to national
defense and armed forces building, performance of the armed forces'
functions, development of the socialist market economy, and the vital
interests of the officers and men. The contents of the military law,
the law of war and armed conflicts, etc., have been included in the legal
courses at military colleges and schools, and the training programs of
the armed forces. The PLA has set up courses for field-grade officers
of the Army, Navy and Air Force on the armed conflict law once every two
years, and organized lectures on the armed conflict law for officers of
the division level and above, who are enrolled at the National Defense
University every year.
Mobilization
At each level of the people's government from the county up to the
state, there is a national defense mobilization commission, which has
under it, offices and coordinating bodies responsible for the
mobilization of the people's armed forces, national economy and
transportation, civil air defense, and national defense education. The
premier of the State Council takes the position of chairman of the State
National Defense Mobilization Commission, and vice-premiers of the State
Council and vice- chairmen of the CMC are vice-chairmen. Other members
include heads of relevant ministries and commissions under the State
Council, leaders of the general headquarters/departments of the PLA and
heads of their subordinate offices. The chairman of the local national
defense mobilization commission is the principal leader of the local
government at the same level. The vice-chairmen are the deputy leaders
at the local government of the same level and principal leaders of the
military organ at the same level.
The state conducts mobilization preparations in peacetime by
integrating mobilization of the armed forces, the national economy and
transportation, civil air defense, and defense education into the state's
overall development plan and relevant programs. Mobilization of the
armed forces refers to the mobilization of the active and reserve forces
of the PLA, the Armed Police Force, the militia and the reserve
personnel, as well as the mobilization of appropriate weapons, equipment
and logistical materials. Its main task is to prepare in peacetime for
manpower mobilization and, in case of need, call up the reservists and
other citizens of service age, ensure a quick expansion and
reorganization of the PLA, and expansion of the other forces, and
organize the masses to support and join in the operations of the armed
forces. Mobilization of the national economy includes mobilization of
industry, agriculture, science and technology, material supplies,
commerce and trade, and finance. Its main task is, in peacetime, to
integrate the preparation for mobilization with economic development in
an organized and planned way, and in time of war, reallocate economic
resources, and exercise centralized control and use of national financial
and material resources so as to increase the production of weapons,
equipment and other military supplies, and meet the needs of war.
Mobilization for civil air defense includes mobilization of civilians and
people with special civil air defense skills, material and technical
support for civil air defense projects, and civil air defense
early-warning systems. Its main task is to mobilize social forces in
construction of air defense projects, establish and train specialized air
defense service, conduct civil air defense publicity and education,
organize evacuations and sheltering, assist in air defense operations,
and deal with the aftermath of air raids. Mobilization of
transportation includes mobilization of transportation, communications
and postal services. Its main task is to organize in peacetime the
formation of professional transportation and communications support
force, defense infrastructure construction, equipment build-up, war
material storage and mobilization preparations of civil transportation
means and in time of war, organize the rush repair and construction of
transportation and communications facilities, and transportation support
for troop movement and material supply.
In recent years, some army units and local governments have, pursuant
to relevant laws and regulations, jointly organized defense mobilization
drills for transportation and air defense. China is further improving
its defense mobilization laws and regulations, perfecting its defense
mobilization system, and actively promoting modernization in this area.
Education
China emphasizes popularizing and strengthening national defense
education with patriotism at its core, strives to enhance the national
defense awareness of the whole people, and helps citizens perform defense
duties conscientiously.
The nationwide defense education is under the leadership of the State
Council, with the assistance of the CMC. The State Defense Education
Office is responsible for the planning, organization, direction and
coordination of the nation's defense education. Local people's
governments at all levels exercise leadership over defense education in
their respective administrative areas. All relevant departments perform
their respective duties, cooperate with one another, and, combined with
their own work, ensure that defense education activities are carried out
smoothly. The National Defense Education Law of the PRC was formally
promulgated and came into force on April 28, 2001, putting China's
national defense education on the legal track.
China implements a military training system in institutions of higher
learning, senior middle schools and schools corresponding to senior
middle schools. Since 1985, more than 200,000 officers and men have
helped these institutions and schools organize military training for
students, and more than 30 million students have been trained. In the
past several years, the percentage of university and college freshmen
receiving military training has reached about 60%. Commencing in 2002,
students of all regular institutions of higher learning and senior middle
schools are obliged to take military training in accordance with relevant
regulations and plans.
On August 31, 2001, the NPC Standing Committee set the third Saturday
of September every year as the National Defense Education Day. This has
provided a vehicle for the participation of the entire population in
national defense educational activities, which helps ensure enhanced and
continued implementation of the educational programs in this area.
Defense Expenditure
The Chinese government has always been strict in its control,
management and supervision of defense spending, and has established a
complete system of relevant laws and regulations for that purpose.
Pursuant to the National Defense Law of the PRC, the entire defense
expenditure comes from the state financial budget. In order to meet the
defense needs, the Chinese government exercises a system of financial
appropriation of defense funds, and implements administration in
accordance with the Budget Law of the PRC. China's defense budget and
final accounts are reviewed and approved by the NPC. The state and
armed forces' auditing organs exercise strict auditing and supervision of
the execution process of the budget.
In recent years, in line with financing and budgeting reforms in the
government, the administration of defense expenditure has undergone a
whole array of reforms, including reform in the defense expenditure
budgeting method, centralized payment for weapon and equipment
procurement, and a tendering and bidding system for the procurement of
defense materials, projects and services. Defense funds are therefore
managed in a more just, fair and transparent way.
Based on the continuous economic growth, China's defense expenditure
has increased somewhat. The proportion of annual defense spending in
the GDP was 1.09% in 1995, and 1.50% in 2001 ( see Chart 1). However,
China's defense expenditure has been kept at a fairly low level, and the
increased part is basically of a compensatory nature. From 1979 to
2001, the proportion of defense expenditure in the state financial
spending is on a declining curve (see Chart 2) from 17.37% in 1979 to
7.65% in 2001 -- a drop of nearly 10 percentage points. Chart 1:
Percentage of China's Annual Defense Expenditure in GDP ( 1995-2001)
1995:1.09%; 1996:1.06%; 1997:1.09%; 1998:1.19%; 1999:1.31%; 2000:1. 35%;
2001:1.50% Chart 2: Percentage of China's Defense Expenditure in the
Total State Financial Expenditure (1979-2001) 1979:17.37%; 1983:12.57%;
1987:9.27%; 1991:9.75%; 1995:9.33%; 1998: 8.66%; 2001:7.65%.
China's defense spending was 120.754 billion yuan (RMB) in 2000, and
144.204 billion yuan in 2001. The budget for defense expenditure in
2002 is 169.444 billion yuan (see the following table), accounting for
7.60%, 7.65% and 8.03% of the state financial expenditure in the same
year, respectively. Table: Breakdown of China's Annual Defense
Expenditures in 2000, 2001 and 2002 (unit: RMB100 million yuan) Item
Year/Personnel: 2000/405.50; 2001/461.63; 2002/540.43 Item
Year/Maintenance & Operations: 2000/412.74; 2001/485.81; 2002/581.23 Item
Year/ Equipment: 2000/389.30; 2001/494.60; 2002/572.78 Item Year/Total:
2000/1,207.54; 2001/1,442.04; 2002/1,694.44
The increased defense expenditure in recent years has primarily been
for the following purposes: (1)Increase of personnel expenses. Along with
the socio-economic development and the per-capita income rise of rural
and urban residents, it is necessary to improve the living standards and
conditions of military personnel. The past decade has witnessed the
increase of the board expenses in the armed forces on five occasions, and
an 84% salary raise for officers and 92% allowance raise for soldiers.
(2)Establishment and gradual improvement of a social security system for
servicemen. In accordance with the requirements of the market economy,
China has, since 1998, established such systems as injury and death
insurance for servicemen, medical insurance for demobilized servicemen
and housing subsidies for servicemen, and adjusted and enhanced living
expense standards for PLA retirees. (3)Increase of expenses of a
maintenance nature. Since the armed forces stopped commercial
activities in 1998, the budget for training has increased year by year.
With the gradual improvement of living facilities and progressive office
automation, expenses of a maintenance nature have kept rising.
(4)Increase of expenses spent on cooperation with the international
community in anti-terrorism activities. (5)Appropriate increase of
expenses for the improvement of military equipment to enhance defense
capabilities under the conditions of modern technologies, particularly
high technologies.
On the whole, China's defense expenditure has remained at a fairly
low level in the world in 2002 (see Chart 3). Compared with the USA,
Russia, UK and France, the percentage of China's defense expenditure in
its GDP and the state financial expenditure is also fairly low (see Chart
4). Chart 3: Comparison of Defense Expenditures of Some Countries in 2002
(unit: 100 million US dollars) USA:3,479.9; Russia:91; UK:348;
France:244; Germany:207; Japan:405; China:204 Note 1: The exchange rate
used here is based on that announced by China's State Administration of
Exchange Control in 2002, which is 1.0 US dollar equals about 8.28 RMB
yuan. Note 2: Statistics in the chart are sourced from the national
defense reports, financial reports and other government reports published
by the said countries. Chart 4: Comparison of the Percentages of Defense
Expenditure in the GDP and Financial Expenditure of China and Some Other
Countries in 2001 Percentage of defense expenditure in the GDP:
USA:3.04%; Russia:2.41%; UK:2.50%; France:1.96%; Germany:1.10%;
Japan:0.95%; China:1.50% Percentage of defense expenditure in financial
expenditure: USA:16.55%; Russia:18.35%; UK:6.1%; France:11.08%;
Germany:9.80%; Japan:5.98%; China:7.65% Note: Statistics in the chart are
sourced from the national defense reports, financial reports and other
government reports published by the said countries.
Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense
China's defense-related science, technology and industry is the
state's strategic industry, and the important industrial and
technological foundation for national defense modernization, as well as a
major driving force for the development of the national economy, science
and technology. China builds and develops its defense-related science,
technology and industry independently, enhances the overall level and
economic efficiency of defense- related science, technology and industry,
and promotes the coordinated development of national defense and economy.
The Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National
Defense of the PRC is an organ under the State Council in charge of work
in this regard. It is responsible for researching and formulating
principles and policies, as well as laws, rules and regulations in
respect of the development of defense-related science, technology and
industry; deliberating the development plan for defense-related science,
technology and industry, and overseeing the overall planning of and
proper connections between defense-related research, production and
construction; organizing qualification examination and approval work for
research and manufacture of military products; examining and verifying
contracts in respect of scientific research and production between the
military and the producers; coordinating, supervising and inspecting
execution of ordering contracts so as to ensure the production and supply
of military equipment; exercising administration of the nuclear, space,
aviation, shipbuilding and weaponry industries; giving guidance to the
administration of the military-related electronics sector; organizing,
studying and implementing reform of the system of defense-related
science, technology and industry; organizing adjustment of the
capability, structure and layout of the defense-related science,
technology and industry; drawing up plans for investment in fixed assets
in respect of defense-related science, technology and industry, and for
technical transformation and development of defense conversion
technologies, and organizing the implementation of such plans; and
conducting foreign exchanges and international cooperation in the field
of defense-related science, technology and industry.
After decades of development, China has formed a defense- related
science, technology and industry system, which is by and large complete
in disciplines and coordinated with regard to means of research and
production; trained and fostered a contingent of professionals with a
good mastery of advanced technology and a sound work style; and laid an
important material and technological foundation for independent research
and manufacture of military equipment in China. Currently, China has 11
military industrial group corporations, namely, China National Nuclear
Corporation, China Nuclear Engineering and Construction Corporation,
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, China Aerospace
Science and Industry Corporation, China Aviation Industry Corporation I,
China Aviation Industry Corporation II, China State Shipbuilding
Corporation, China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, China North
Industries Group Corporation, China South Industries Group Corporation,
and China Electronic Science and Technology Corporation. Each is
responsible for the organization and administration of its R&D and
manufacture, and exercising the rights of an investor authorized by the
state over state-owned assets in its subordinate enterprises.
China's defense-related science, technology and industry gives
priority to the development of new- and high-tech weaponry and equipment,
and strives to raise their modernization level. It is imperative to
speed up the adjustment of capability, structure and layout, enhance
capability in research and production of new- and high-tech weaponry,
streamline the work force of military industry, optimize the industrial
layout, and gradually establish a new system of defense-related science,
technology and industry. It is imperative to further strengthen the
development of defense- related science and technology, promote the
progress of science and technology, concentrate resources to make
breakthroughs in a number of key technologies, enhance the capability of
self- reliance and innovation and sustained development capability in
defense-related science, technology and industry, and strive to achieve
leapfrog technological progress. It is imperative to bring up talented
people and create a well-structured contingent of high- caliber people in
a whole array of disciplines needed for the development of
defense-related science, technology and industry. At present, in
China's defense-related science, technology and industry, 141
academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy
of Engineering are active, of which 52 are academicians of the Chinese
Academy of Sciences, 95 are academicians of the Chinese Academy of
Engineering, and 6 belong to both academies.
The Chinese government has always stressed the peaceful use of
military industrial technology, and encouraged and supported
defense-related science, technology and industry to bring its
technological and human resource advantages into full play, and develop
dual-purpose technologies and new- and high-tech industries, and thus
promoted the development of the national economy. Nuclear power for
civil use should be industrialized. Civil aerospace technologies have
made remarkable achievements in the applied satellite, carrier rocket,
and manned spaceship. The " Long March" series of carrier rockets have
successfully launched 27 foreign-made satellites, entitling China to a
position in the international commercial satellite launching service
market. In 1999, 2001 and 2002, China successfully launched in
succession three experimental unmanned spaceships, marking a breakthrough
for China in mastering basic manned spaceship technology. This has
provided a solid foundation for China to send a manned spaceship into
space. The aviation industry for civil use, while strengthening
technological research, expanding sub-contracting scope for production,
and improving existing plane models, has made important headway in
manufacturing general-purpose aircraft and the "Xinzhou 60" aircraft, and
has begun the R&D of new feeder liners. The shipbuilding industry for
civil use has already become a highly competitive pillar export industry
among China's electromechanical industries. In recent years, China's
shipbuilding output has continuously increased, ranking third in the
world for seven consecutive years. The accomplished shipbuilding output
in 2001 accounted for six percent of the world 's total.
China's defense-related science, technology and industry endeavors to
establish and perfect an organizational system and an operational
mechanism tailored to the needs of national defense building and the
socialist market economy. It encourages a specialized division of
labor, gradually forms a new multi-tiered cooperative system of principal
weaponry contractors, sub- contractors and suppliers of parts and
components. It also presses forward with the strategic reorganization
of military industrial enterprises and institutions, optimizes the
allocation of resources, develops core industries, and gradually forms a
batch of internationally competitive conglomerates. It makes efforts to
deepen the reform of military industrial enterprises, establish a modern
enterprise system, and push forward the diversification of investors of
the enterprises and transformation of operational mechanisms so as to
enable these enterprises to turn into market competitors operating
independently and responsible for their own profits or losses. The
defense-related science, technology and industry stresses the reform of
its sci-tech system, strengthens the organic integration of production,
education and research, and transforms the defense-related science and
technology into actual productivity. In addition, the defense-related
science, technology and industry adheres to opening-up, and actively
participates in international exchanges and cooperation in line with the
principles of the complementarity of each other's strengths, reciprocity,
mutual benefit and common development.
Land and Sea Border Defense
China pursues a policy of good neighborliness and friendship. It
defends and administers its land borders and seas under its jurisdiction,
safeguards the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and
interests, and secures both its land and sea borders strictly in
accordance with treaties and agreements it has signed with neighboring
countries, and the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea.
China advocates settling unresolved border and maritime demarcation
issues through negotiation, and demarcating maritime boundaries with
neighboring countries or countries contiguous to opposite coasts based on
the principle of equity, and opposes the use of force or provocative
acts. China has solved or basically solved boundary issues left over by
history with most of its adjacent countries. In December 2000, China
and Viet Nam entered into the Beibu Gulf Demarcation Agreement. In May
2002, China and Tajikistan signed the Supplementary Agreement on the
Boundary Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of
Tajikistan.
China attaches importance to having frontier defense exchanges and
cooperation with neighboring countries, and jointly maintaining order
along the borders. China has signed treaties, agreements and
understandings with Mongolia, Russia, Myanmar, Viet Nam, Laos and India
on border control and handling border affairs, setting up
confidence-building measures, and preventing dangerous military
activities. Since 1995, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense has
signed frontier cooperation agreements with the General Administration of
Frontier Defense of the Russian Federation and the Administration of
Frontier Guards of Mongolia. In January 2002, Chinese Ministry of
National Defense and the National Security Commission of Kazakhstan
signed the Frontier Defense Cooperation Agreement Between China and
Kazakhstan. In April 2002, China sent a delegation to attend the
meeting of leaders of frontier defense authorities of the member states
of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) held in Alma-Ata. At the
meeting, the leaders of the frontier defense authorities of China,
Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan agreed that the frontier
defense authorities of the five states will, within the framework of the
relevant documents of the SCO and in accordance with the circumstances of
the areas of common borders of the member states, strengthen exchanges of
information in respect of frontier defense; further deepen corresponding
bilateral and multilateral cooperation; take effective measures for the
joint fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism, and for
preventing cross-border criminal activities of all forms; safeguard order
along the common borders of member states; and provide powerful guarantee
for the development of good neighborliness and friendship and economic,
trade and cultural relations between the member states. China's
frontier authorities and frontier troops faithfully implement relevant
treaties, agreements and understandings, actively establish or improve
the systems for consultation, frontier defense talks and meetings with
counterparts of neighboring countries, carry out frontier defense
contacts and cooperation at various levels, and deal appropriately with
border affairs. Therefore, mutual understanding, trust and friendship
between China and neighboring countries have been increased, and a
peaceful and friendly atmosphere along borders has been created.
The Chinese government attaches importance to border area development
and endeavors to promote transportation, communications, culture,
education, public health, radio and television services in border areas.
Since 1996, the State Frontier Defense Commission has organized the
construction of frontier defense infrastructure on a large scale in nine
overland frontier provinces and autonomous regions, which has effectively
improved the administrative conditions of border areas, and given impetus
to economic and social development there. While earnestly performing
their duties and unremittingly improving themselves, the land and sea
border defense forces have actively participated in and supported local
economic development and the building of spiritual civilization. This
has helped to strengthen the relations between the armed forces and the
local governments, and between the military and civilians, and to
safeguard political and social stability, and the unity of ethnic groups
in frontier regions.
Civil Air Defense
China's civil air defense sector implements the concept of people's
war. In view of wartime requirements, and based on the economic
capability of the country, it relies on the broad masses, gives play to
the initiatives of the central and local governments, ensures its
readiness to provide effective protection. The basic tasks of civil air
defense include: spreading knowledge of air defense among the people;
building all types of protection projects; setting up a civil air defense
communications and warning system; making plans for personnel and
material evacuation; organizing and training specialized air defense
contingents; guarding and protecting important facilities of the national
economy; and in wartime, organizing and directing people to protect
themselves against air-raids. In accordance with the needs for
preparation against war, China has identified cities and regions for the
conduct of civil air defense, and urban civil air defense is taken as the
focal point of civil air defense.
The civil air defense sector adopts a system of joint leadership by
the people's governments and military organs. The State Council and the
CMC exercise leadership over civil air defense nationwide. Authorized
by the State Council and the CMC, the military area commands exercise
leadership over civil air defense in their respective regions. Local
people's governments at the county level and above and the corresponding
military organs exercise leadership over civil air defense in their
respective administrative areas. The administrative organ in charge of
nationwide civil air defense is in the General Staff Headquarters, and
those in charge of the military area civil air defense are in the
headquarters of the military area commands. The administrative organs
in charge of civil air defense at the county level and above are in the
people's governments at the same level. The relevant departments in
charge of planning, programming and construction in the people's
governments at the county level and above are responsible for relevant
civil air defense within their respective scopes of duties.
The civil air defense sector adheres to the policy of long-term
readiness, construction of key projects, and combination of peacetime
footing with wartime footing, and implements the principle of developing
in coordination with economic construction and in combination with urban
construction. In peacetime, the state carries out civil air defense
construction, divides cities into different categories for protection,
incorporates civil air defense construction into the national
socio-economic development program, integrates the civil air defense
construction plan into the overall urban development plan, and ensures
the smooth operation of the civil air defense communications and warning
system. The state protects civil air defense facilities from being
damaged, adopts a preferential policy toward construction of air defense
facilities, and encourages and supports enterprises, institutions, social
organizations and individuals to invest in civil air defense construction
projects. In peacetime, the state encourages submission of civil air
defense projects to the service of economic development and people's
daily needs; the use of civil air defense communications and warning
facilities for emergency rescue and disaster relief, and assumption by
civil air defense organs and specialized contingents of rescue and relief
missions assigned by people's governments. To meet the needs of the
changing situations, civil air defense will gradually be integrated with
disaster prevention, and capabilities in rapid- reaction,
damage-resistance, emergency rescue and self-improvement will be enhanced
so as to cope with modern warfare and serious disasters and accidents,
and effectively protect citizens' lives and property.
China has promulgated and implemented the Civil Air Defense Law of
the PRC, and formulated a number of auxiliary civil air defense
regulations. China sets store by cooperation and exchanges in respect
of civil air defense with countries worldwide, and joined the
International Civil Defense Organization in 1992.
Participating in and Supporting the Development of the Western Region
The development of China's western region is important to the
country's economy, politics and national defense. In accordance with
the strategic decision for the large-scale development of the western
region made by the state, the CMC has established a special leading group
and a dedicated office, and made unified arrangements. The PLA and the
Armed Police Force have contributed more than 1.5 million troops and
450,000 motor vehicles and machines to actively participate in and
support the western region development efforts.
Concentrating strength on supporting the construction of key
infrastructure projects. The Chinese armed forces regard the
participation in the construction of transportation, energy, water
conservancy and communications projects as the focal points in supporting
the development of the western region. They have engaged in the
expansion or reconstruction of 8 airports, 3 national highways and 4
expressways; the construction of 9 energy facilities such as pipelines,
natural gas fields and oil-and-gas fields; the construction of 7
hydropower stations and 19 trunk diversion channels; and the laying of 8
optic telecommunications cables totaling more than 20,000 km.
Taking part in the protection and construction of the ecological
environment. The armed forces stationed in the western region have, in
order to improve the ecological environment, taken an active part in
activities such as forestation, sand prevention and control, closing
mountains to facilitate forestation, and restoring the reclaimed land to
forests and grasslands. They have planted trees in an area of more than
3 million mu (one mu equals one fifteenth of a hectare), sown grass on
more than 1.8 million mu of land, and restored more than 1.5 million mu
of reclaimed land to forests and grasslands. Technical troops
specializing in mapping, meteorology, water supply and aviation have
provided such services as geographic survey, weather forecast, water
source exploration, aerial sowing and artificial precipitation in the
western region.
Providing talented personnel, and intellectual and technical support.
Chinese armed forces have selected and transferred professionals from
military colleges and schools, hospitals and scientific research
institutes to support the development of the western region; arranged, in
a planned way, demobilized officers to work in the western region;
encouraged or persuaded demobilized soldiers from densely populated areas
to settle in the west; and assigned increased numbers of soldiers from
the western region to units stationed in developed areas, so as to help
the cultivation of talents and the renewal of thinking for the
development of the western region. Some colleges and schools, hospitals
and scientific research institutes have actively provided services to the
western region by way of jointly running schools, sponsoring short-term
training courses, offering diseases prevention and treatment assistance,
and transferring achievements of scientific and technological research.
Opening and developing military facilities. On the premise of
ensuring military security, the armed forces have opened 5 military
airports, more than 200 military rail lines, 30 oil pipelines, 70
communication lines and more than 100 rear area warehouses for civilian
use. Some of the military farms, real estate, support enterprises and
army horse-breeding farms have been handed over to local authorities.
The armed forces have improved such facilities for preparation against
war as air traffic control and frontier defense roads, in order to
support the development of the civil transportation.
Carrying out activities to help the poor and needy. The armed
forces stationed in the western region have sent officers and men to help
repair roads, install electricity lines, sink wells, teach useful skills
and develop a diversified economy. These efforts have enabled more than
200,000 local people to get rid of poverty. The armed forces have also
helped build or enlarge more than 300 middle and primary schools, and
helped more than 50,000 school dropouts return to class. In addition,
100 PLA hospitals have made arrangements with 105 local county hospitals
in the poor areas of the western region to provide assistance.
V. Armed Forces Building
In compliance with the general requirements of being qualified
politically and competent militarily and having a fine style of work,
strict discipline and adequate logistical support, and focusing on the
two historic tasks of being capable of winning and never degenerating,
the PLA strives to strengthen its overall development and form a
revolutionary, modernized and regularized people's army.
Military Training
The PLA strives to adapt itself to the characteristics of modern
warfare, takes enhancement of the capability of defensive operations
under high-tech conditions as the main objective, and continuously
strengthens and improves military training.
Over the past two years, the PLA has quickened its steps in
transforming the training -- from the conventional training to one
featuring new technology. It has made full use of modern science and
technology to organize and implement military training. In October
2000, the General Staff Headquarters organized a large- scale high-tech
military exercise in the vicinity of Beijing and used such new and high
technologies as computer networking, reconnaissance sensing, ECM and
simulation to drill and test the new operational concepts, weaponry and
training methods. The latest achievements gained in military training
featuring new technologies were exchanged among the troops.
In line with the new generation of operational doctrines, the PLA
focuses on the studies and training of joint operations. The annual
regular exercises organized by the military area commands and services
and arms all concentrate on joint operations. In the spring and summer
of 2001, both Nanjing and Guangzhou military area commands organized
field exercises with joint landing operations as the backdrop, focusing
on the coordination of joint and combined arms landing operation, and
drew useful lessons on how to organize, support and manage joint
training, ground force amphibious landing training, and training of rapid
reserve mobilization. In addition, the general headquarters/departments
organized successive studies and exercises of communications and command
at the joint operational level, training of landing and mountain
operations, and research on methods of joint penetration operations, and
explored the features and patterns of integrated network and electronic
warfare.
The PLA has enforced new military training regulations and
strengthened regularized training. On the basis of extensively
absorbing the achievements of the armed forces' training reform and the
experience gained in troop training featuring new technologies, the
General Staff Headquarters revised and adjusted the system of content of
the PLA's military training, promulgated the Outline of Military Training
and Evaluation in July 2001, and organized a training course of the
Outline in a combined corps in northern China in September 2001. In
September 2002, the CMC promulgated the new Regulations on Military
Training of the PLA comprehensively and systematically standardizing the
organization, leadership and administration of military training.
The PLA has continued to deepen the reform of institutional
education. In line with the general concept of "running schools in
large scale, modernizing teaching, regularizing administration and
outsourcing logistic support," the PLA has further improved its new
system of institutional education and established a teaching system
consonant with military, sci-tech and educational developments. In
recent years, on the basis of fulfilling the major construction tasks of
18 colleges and schools, 60 disciplines and 31 laboratories, the PLA has
launched the Key Construction Project of Military Colleges and Schools,
whereby efforts are being focused on 67 domains of disciplines and
specialties, and 178 research centers. So far 58 have been qualified as
state-level key disciplines and specialties. The general
headquarters/departments have promulgated the first catalogue of
disciplines and specialties of the PLA's colleges and schools, thus
setting up a new system of disciplines and specialties. Deepening
teaching reform with teaching content as the focal point, colleges and
schools of the PLA have formulated a new teaching program, implemented a
key teaching material development project, and perfected the teaching
appraisal system. At the same time, informationization and networking
of teaching have been promoted, and an information network platform for
the armed forces' teaching and scientific research has been initially put
in place, giving shape to a training information network linking PLA's
colleges and schools and having nearly 100,000 websites and centers.
Political Work
The political work of the PLA is the ideological and organizational
work of the CPC in the armed forces. It is the fundamental guarantee
for the absolute leadership of the Party over the armed forces, and the
assurance on maintaining and improving combat effectiveness of the
troops. It is the lifeline of the PLA.
The PLA's political work implements the aim of serving the people
wholeheartedly; guarantees the Party's absolute leadership over the armed
forces; adheres to the principle of seeking unity between officers and
men and between the military and the people, and demoralizing and
disintegrating the enemy, with ideological- political education as the
central link; operates a system featuring political democracy, economic
democracy and military democracy; and enforces the Three Main Rules of
Discipline and the Eight Points for Attention. The PLA's political work
implements the Party committee (Party branch) system, political leader
system and political organ system. The Party committee (Party branch)
system stipulates that a Party committee shall be set up in a unit at or
above the regiment level, a grass-roots Party committee in a unit at the
battalion or corresponding level, and a Party branch in a unit at the
company or corresponding level. Party committees (Party branches) at
various levels are the core of the centralized leadership and unity of
the unit concerned. The system of leading cadres assuming separate
responsibilities under the unified collective leadership of the Party
committee (Party branch) is the fundamental system for Party leadership
over the armed forces. The political leader system stipulates that a
political commissar shall be appointed to a unit at or above the regiment
level, a political director to a battalion, and a political instructor to
a company. The political commissar, political director and political
instructor, together with the chief military officers at the same level,
are the chief leaders of their units, assuming joint responsibility for
all work in their units under the leadership of the Party committees
(Party branches) at the same level. The political commissar, political
director and political instructor are organizers of the day-to-day work
of the Party committees ( Party branches) and leaders of political work.
The political organ system stipulates that a political department
(section) shall be set up in a unit at or above the regiment level, and a
general political department for the PLA; and that the political organs
are the leading body of the political work in a unit, responsible for
administering Party work and organizing the implementation of the
political work.
The political work of the PLA persists in advancing with the times,
breaking new ground and making innovations, keeping pace with profound
changes in the international situation and the military field, adapting
itself to the rapid development of the socialist market economy, striving
to provide strong spiritual motivation for winning future high-tech wars,
and furnishing a reliable political guarantee for maintaining the nature,
character and work style of the people's army. In recent years, the CPC
Central Committee has promulgated the new Regulations on the Political
Work of the PLA, the CMC has promulgated the Outline for Armed Forces
Construction at the Grass-Roots Level, and the General Political
Department has released Decisions on Some Issues Concerning the PLA
Ideological-Political Work Under the Conditions of the Reform and
Opening-up and the Development of a Socialist Market Economy and Opinions
on Strengthening and Improving Ideological-Political Education of the
Army in the New Situation. The PLA has actively studied and implemented
the important thought of the "Three Represents," organized the rank and
file to study the Constitution and other state laws, the Party's basic
theories, and scientific and cultural knowledge, and conducted education
in patriotism, collectivism and revolutionary heroism by establishing
military history museums in units at and above the regiment level, and
honor exhibition in companies. The PLA has issued an ethical code for
servicemen, organized the composition of moral songs, set up a PLA-wide
publicity, cultural and information network, improved cultural facilities
in barracks, set up cultural clubs in companies, and established cultural
centers in units at and above the regiment level. The PLA has carried
out psychological education and legal consultation, and has established
psychological education and legal consultation mechanisms that rely
mainly on brigade or regiment political organs and grass- roots political
officers and integrate the political work system with the related
specialty system.
Logistical Support
The PLA strives actively to reform its logistical structure and
system, construct a modern logistical support system and constantly
enhance its logistical support capabilities.
The introduction of the joint logistics system is a major reform of
the logistical support system of the PLA. The joint logistics system is
based on military area commands. It combines regional support with
organic system support and general supply support with special supply
support. Unified general-purpose material supply and service support
are provided by military area commands, and special material supply and
service support are provided by the services and arms through their
organic channels. The General Logistics Department is in charge of the
PLA's joint logistics work. The military area command's joint logistics
department is in charge of the joint logistics work within a theater of
war. And the joint logistics sub-department is mainly responsible for
organizing and implementing the general-purpose support of the services
and arms within its support area. After more than two years' practice
of reform, the joint logistics system has been standardized gradually
with notably improved efficiency. The system will be further developed
into one that integrates the three armed services, unites the army with
the people, and combines peacetime and wartime footing.
In order to streamline the logistical support organizations and
improve the cost-effectiveness of defense expenditures, the PLA has
carried out a reform featuring the socialization of logistical support in
non-combat units at and above the corps level, and in military colleges
and schools and hospitals in large and medium- sized cities. After
nearly three years of effort, substantial progress has been achieved in
this regard, including reform in food and commercial services, barracks,
and the administration of civilian employees. Reform has also been
carried out, on a trial basis, in non-military transportation, fuel
supply and the monetized supply of clothing. So far, the PLA has
already had more than 1,500 messes run by civilian services, more than
1,000 post exchanges integrated into civilian service systems, more than
1, 800 barracks managed by real estate companies, approximately 300
support enterprises and farms transferred to central and local
authorities, reducing a total number of more than 300,000 institutional
and business employees. In order to promote the reform of socialization
of military logistical support and to ensure the development of the
reform, in September 2002, the State Council and the CMC issued an
Announcement Concerning the Issues of Advancing the Reform of Military
Logistical Support, and in October, the CMC approved and transmitted the
General Logistics Department's Opinions on Some Issues Concerning the
Socialization of Military Logistical Support.
In March 2001, the PLA began to reform the budgetary planning
system. Drawing on the internationally adopted budgeting method, the
PLA reformed its budgeting form, method and content extensively, with
emphasis placed on implementation of the zero- base budget method, so as
to give full play to the budget's macro- control role and gradually
establish a new budgeting pattern featuring the concentration of
financial power and resources, scientific distribution of military
expenditures, concrete and transparent itemization, and tight supervision
and control.
In January 2002, the PLA carried out an across-the-board reform of
the procurement system, focusing mainly on concentrated procurement and
procurement through public bidding, and set up a mechanism for sectional
management, which features cooperation with proper division of labor and
mutual restriction. High-value, large-quantity, general-purpose
materials are procured in a concentrated way by relying mainly on the
material procurement departments. Bulk materials with one-time
procurement value exceeding RMB 500,000 yuan, and projects newly built,
expanded, or revamped each involving an investment of over RMB 2 million
yuan are undertaken through public bidding.
Currently, the method of combining military support with social
support, government house with self-owned house, and supply in kind with
supply in money is adopted for PLA officers' housing system. Officers
of all ranks and all military branches are provided with appropriate
housing support. Active-service officers live mainly in government
houses. Retired officers are entitled mainly to purchase the houses
they are living in or other affordable houses. Demobilized officers and
noncommissioned officers transferred to civilian posts should be ensured
of housing benefits mainly by subsidies and incorporation into the social
security system.
The PLA constantly strengthens the development of its logistical
equipment and upgrades its logistical support means. In 2001, it
carried out coordinative experiments in the overall support capability of
logistical equipment organically and systematically; developed logistical
equipment in seven aspects -- rapid maritime rescue and treatment of the
wounded, shore party support, air field support, mobility support for
missile units, air-dropped material support, individual support and field
logistics command; and completed the demonstration, R&D and testing of 86
kinds of new equipment. In order to obtain and process information on
the resources, requirements and conditions of logistical support
real-time and in a precise and transparent way, the PLA is doing research
on a video logistics system. In July 2002, the CMC promulgated the
Regulations on the Logistical Equipment of the PLA to promote the
regularized development of logistical equipment.
Weaponry and Equipment
In line with the needs of high-tech military developments and defense
operations, the PLA conscientiously implements the principle of building
a strong military through science and technology and giving first place
to quality, so as to upgrade and accelerate the development of military
equipment.
The weaponry and equipment management system and mechanism have
further improved. Following the founding of the General Armaments
Department in April 1998, the services and arms, military area commands
and combat units at the corps, division and regiment levels have all set
up their armaments departments (sections), and further strengthened
unified leadership over weaponry and equipment development, and the
across-the-board and life-cycle management of military equipment, thus
effectively improving the overall efficiency. In December 2000, the CMC
promulgated the first Regulations on Armaments of the PLA, which
standardizes the organization and leadership, division of
responsibilities and management procedures of the PLA's armament-related
work. The CMC promulgated the Regulations on the Armament Maintenance
Work of the PLA in June 2002, and the Outline of Operational Equipment
Support of the PLA in October 2002. These rules and regulations
concerning armament-related work have promoted the development of the
work along scientific, regularized and legal lines.
The modernization level of weaponry and equipment has undergone
constant improvement. The PLA persists in stressing self-reliance and
independent innovation, and actively develops military equipment with
advanced foreign technology. In compliance with the needs of future
defense operations in high-tech conditions, the PLA mainly develops
weaponry and equipment featuring new and high technology, while upgrading
and modernizing current weaponry and equipment selectively, so as to
accomplish the historical tasks of mechanization and IT-application of
military equipment. A Chinese- style weaponry and equipment system,
with a relatively complete variety and a good structure, has thus come
into shape.
Weaponry and equipment management capability has been notably
enhanced. The PLA manages and uses existing weaponry and equipment
conscientiously and in a proper way, and constantly enhances its ability
to manage new-type weapons. The forces at and below the corps level
have universally established and improved rules and regulations for
weaponry management, exercised standardized management of
equipment-related finance, and carried out examination and appraisal
relating to the scientific, institutional and regular management of
weaponry and equipment. At the same time, they have organized training
courses in the use and management of new-type equipment, trained
personnel in equipment management and technological support, improved the
management of support facilities, and succeeded in developing the combat
and support capabilities of military equipment organically and
systematically.
The weapon and equipment procurement system is being gradually
reformed. The PLA seeks actively to meet the requirements of the
socialist market economy and improvement of weapons and equipment, and
vigorously promotes the reform. The armament departments perform the
functions of the principal responsible party in weapon and equipment
ordering, and institutes contractual management in the research,
procurement and maintenance of weapons and equipment in accordance with
state and PLA regulations. In recent years, the PLA has persisted in
introducing the mechanism of competition into its procurement process,
gradually instituted a public bidding and tendering system, introduced
and improved mechanisms of competition, appraisal, supervision and
motivation, further strengthened the fostering of factory-based military
representatives, and perfected the quality certification system, thereby
improving the efficiency of the weapon and equipment expenditures, and
the cost-effectiveness of weaponry research and production.
Cadre Training
The PLA persists in taking the training of high-quality military
personnel of a new type as a fundamental measure for promoting a leapfrog
development of the armed forces' modernization.
Cadres of the PLA include officers and non-ranking cadres. In
recent years, the PLA has constantly raised the training level of officer
candidates, adjusted the sources of officer candidates, and established a
scientific and justified system for training such candidates, resulting
in a marked improvement in the training level, quality and efficiency of
military personnel. At present, more than 80% of the PLA's cadres have
received junior college or higher education. More than 30,000 have
doctor's or master's degrees, and many of them hold leading posts at the
division or regiment level. At the same time, in order to draw on the
useful armed forces building experiences of other countries, particularly
developed countries, the PLA has since 1996 sent nearly 1,000 servicemen
to study in over 20 countries, a considerable number of them being
commanding or technical officers at the division or regiment level.
Both the Law of the PRC on Officers in Active Service passed by the
Standing Committee of the NPC in December 2000 and the Regulations on
Non-Ranking Officers of the PLA issued by the CMC in June 1999 explicitly
stipulate that commanding officers and non- ranking officers without
technical specialty, as well as ranking officers with technical specialty
and non-ranking officers with technical specialty should receive training
at relevant colleges and schools or other training institutions before
their promotion; and that cadres in leading organs should have undergone
training at appropriate colleges or schools. Cadre's on-the-job
training is gradually undergoing a change from academic credentials
education to all-round continuing education. Except for a small number
of cadres who have to take academic credentials education, the
overwhelming majority of cadres would update their knowledge mainly
through short-term training.
In May 2000, the State Council and the CMC promulgated the Decision
on Establishing a System for Training Military Cadres by Reliance on
Regular Institutions of Higher Learning, clearly stressing the role of
regular higher education in the modernization of national defense and the
armed forces, so as to widen the channel for the selection and training
of high-caliber personnel for the military. So far, more than 50
institutions of higher learning, including Peking University and Tsinghua
University, have undertaken the task of training personnel for the armed
forces, providing a large batch of outstanding personnel for the PLA each
year.
To meet the requirement of building a strong military through science
and technology, the PLA pays great attention to the training of
high-level personnel. In the past two years, the PLA's mobile
post-doctoral stations and doctor's or master's degree authorization
centers have increased by large margins, the academic degree
authorization system has been improved gradually, and the training scale
has been enlarged substantially. In May 2002, the Academic Degree
Commission under the State Council examined and approved the Plan of
Setting Up Specialties for the Master Degree of Military Science, and
decided on the setting up of specialties for the master degree of
military science as an experiment, marking a new stage in the training of
high-level professionals for the armed forces.
The PLA regards the exchange of cadres as an important channel for
training and tempering them and raising their quality. The Law of the
PRC on Officers in Active Service further clarifies and standardizes the
exchange of officers. The Regulations on the Appointment and Removal of
the PLA Officers in Active Service promulgated by the CMC in January 2002
lays down concrete stipulations on the condition, scope, organization and
implementation of officer exchange. In accordance with the Interim
Provisions on the Rotation of Cadres of the PLA Garrison in Hong Kong
promulgated in December 1998, a regular rotation system has been
instituted for all cadres of the garrison force in Hong Kong, and three
batches of cadres have so far been rotated. A rotation system of this
kind has also been instituted for the PLA Garrison in Macao.
VI. International Security Cooperation
International security cooperation is playing an increasingly
important role in maintaining world and regional peace and stability.
The Chinese government pays great attention to and actively participates
in international security cooperation, and advocates the development of
international security cooperation on the basis of the UN Charter, the
Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and other universally recognized
norms of international relations.
Regional Security Cooperation
Conducting dialogue and cooperation with Asia-Pacific countries is an
important content of China's policy concerning Asia-Pacific security, and
a component part of its policy of good- neighborliness and friendship.
China persists in building a good- neighborly relationship and
partnership with its neighbors and strengthens regional cooperation
constantly. Over the past two years, China has worked hard to boost the
formation and development of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO),
and continued to support and participate in the ASEAN Regional Forum (
ARF), Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia
(CICA), Council on Security Cooperation in the Asia- Pacific Region
(CSCAP), Northeast Asia Cooperation Dialogue (NEACD) and other activities
for multilateral security dialogue and cooperation, thus playing a
positive role in deepening regional security cooperation with Asian
characteristics.
In June 2001, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and
Uzbekistan founded the SCO. This organization is a regional
multilateral cooperation body established on the basis of the " Shanghai
Five." Since its founding, it has signed and published in succession the
Shanghai Convention on Combating Terrorism, Separatism and Extremism, the
joint communique of the defense ministers, the statement of the prime
ministers, the statement of leaders of the law-enforcement and security
departments, and the joint statement of the foreign ministers. At the
SCO St. Petersburg Summit held in June 2002, the heads of state of the
six countries signed three important legal and political documents -- the
Charter of the SCO, the Agreement on a Regional Anti-Terrorist Agency and
the Declaration of the Heads of State of the SCO Member Countries. The
SCO has initiated a new security concept, a new pattern for regional
cooperation, and state-to-state relations of a new type, strengthened
trust and cooperation in the military field, beefed up substantive
cooperation in the fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism, and
reached a consensus on mutual assistance in preventing and peacefully
solving international conflicts. The SCO propagates the "Shanghai
Spirit" that features mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality,
consultation, respect for diverse civilizations and seeking common
development, and actively promotes the establishment of a fair and
rational new international political and economic order, thus advancing
regional security and stability.
China endorses the CICA aim and principle of strengthening trust and
cooperation and safeguarding regional security, and has developed
constructive and friendly cooperation with all its member countries. In
June 2002, the first CICA summit meeting passed the Alma-Ata Document and
the Declaration on Eliminating Terrorism and Promoting Dialogue Among
Civilizations. The CICA has scored important achievements in its
activities.
China supports the ARF in its continuous advance toward its set goal.
China has consistently taken an active part in the ARF foreign
ministers' meetings, senior officials' meetings and unofficial meetings.
China has undertaken the project of the ARF ocean information website
and formally opened it to service; attended the ARF experts' group
meeting on confidence-building measures against transnational crimes;
submitted a country report on the question of transnational crimes; and
regularly submitted annual security prospect reports to the ARF. At the
Eighth ARF Foreign Ministers' Conference, held in 2001, China declared
its readiness to support the ARF's efforts to gradually develop dialogue
and cooperation in non-traditional security fields, and reiterated its
proposal on reporting on, and sending personnel to observe, multilateral
joint military exercises. In May 2002, China submitted to the ARF
Senior Officials' Conference the Document Concerning China's Stand in
Strengthening Cooperation in Non- Traditional Security Fields. At the
Ninth ARF Foreign Ministers' Conference, held in July 2002, China
submitted the Document Concerning China's Stand in Regard to the New
Security Concept, emphasizing the need to jointly cultivate a new
security concept, enhance trust through dialogue, and promote security
through cooperation. The Joint Declaration of ASEAN and China on
Cooperation in the Field of Non-Traditional Security Issues released in
November 2002, initiated full cooperation between ASEAN and China in the
field of non-traditional security issues. In September 2002, China held
the ARF seminar on military logistics outsourcing support in Beijing.
Cooperation between ASEAN and China, Japan and the Republic of Korea
(10+3) is an important channel for East Asian leaders to exchange views
on strengthening cooperation in the region, and is conducive to enhancing
mutual understanding, trust and mutually beneficial cooperation among
East Asian countries. China values and actively participates in this
cooperation. It advocates that it should be expanded into
all-directional cooperation on the existing basis, that dialogue and
cooperation in the political and security fields be gradually developed
on the principles of achieving unity through consultation and making
steady advance, and that this cooperation be started with cooperation in
the non- traditional fields of security. After more than four years'
development, this cooperation has made marked progress.
The Chinese armed forces have participated in security dialogue and
cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. In January 2002, Chinese
officers observed the naval mine clearance exercise sponsored by
Singapore in the West Pacific region. In April 2002, Chinese officers
observed the submarine search and rescue exercise sponsored by Japan in
the West Pacific region. In May 2002, China sent officers to observe
the "Cobra Gold" joint military exercises staged by the United States,
Thailand and Singapore. China intends to selectively and gradually
participate in more multilateral joint military exercises in the
non-traditional fields of security in the future.
Anti-Terrorism Cooperation
In recent years, terrorist activities have notably increased, and
constitute a real threat to world peace and development. The "
September 11" terrorist attack, which caused a great loss of lives and
property, has aroused the universal concern of the international
community. China, too, is a victim of terrorism. The "East Turkistan"
terrorist forces are a serious threat to the security of the lives and
property of the people of all China's ethnic groups, as well as to the
country's social stability. On September 11, 2002, the UN Security
Council, in response to a common demand from China, the United States,
Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan, formally included the "East Turkistan Islamic
Movement " on its list of terrorist organizations. The Chinese
government has always resolutely opposed and condemned all forms of
terrorism, and has actively adopted effective measures to fight against
terrorist activities.
The Chinese government is of the view that the international
community should strengthen dialogue and consultation and develop
cooperation, join hands in preventing and fighting against international
terrorist activities, and make efforts to eradicate the root cause of
terrorism. The fight against terrorism requires conclusive evidence,
clear targets and conformity with the purpose and principles of the UN
Charter, and the universally acknowledged norms of international laws.
In this regard, the leading role of the UN and its Security Council
should be brought into full play, and all actions taken should be
conducive to the long-term interest of preserving regional and world
peace. Terrorism should not be confused with a specific nation or
religion, neither should dual standards be adopted in the fight against
terrorism. The international community should make common efforts to
resolutely condemn and attack terrorism whenever and wherever it occurs,
whoever it is directed against and in whatever form it appears. In
fighting terrorism, it is necessary to address both its symptoms and root
cause, and adopt comprehensive measures, especially in solving the
question of development, narrowing the North-South gap, and ending
regional conflicts.
China supports and has conscientiously implemented a series of
resolutions on the anti-terrorism issue passed by the United Nations and
its Security Council, and has submitted to the Security Council
Anti-Terrorism Commission a report on the implementation of Security
Council Resolution No. 1373. China has acceded to the International
Convention on Stopping Terrorist Explosions, and signed the International
Convention on Severing Financial Aid to Terrorism. China has acceded to
10 and signed another one of the 12 international anti-terrorism
conventions. China has also held anti-terrorism consultations
respectively with the USA, Russia, UK, France, Pakistan and India, and
has taken an active part in the work of the Security Council
Anti-Terrorism Commission. China actively helped the Shanghai
Conference of APEC Leaders in bringing about the anti-terrorism
statement, motivated the heads of government, defense ministers, leaders
of law- enforcement and security departments, and foreign ministers of
the SCO member nations in issuing a common statement, and actively
supported the SCO in establishing a permanent regional anti- terrorist
organization. China and Kyrgyzstan conducted a joint anti-terrorism
military exercise in October 2002. China pays great attention to
international anti-terrorist cooperation in the financial field.
Although China is not a member of the ad hoc working group for combating
the financial action of money laundering, it consistently supports the
group's work. China has given the group a full introduction of its
measures for anti- terrorism in the financial field.
Participation in UN Peace-keeping Operations
As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has always
valued and supported the UN in its efforts to play a positive role in
safeguarding international peace and security under the guidance of the
purpose and principles of the UN Charter. China adopts an active attitude
toward the reform of peace-keeping operations, and hopes that further
efforts will be made to strengthen the role of the UN in peace-keeping
operations and to make these operations more efficient. China supports
the active measures taken by the UN Secretariat in this regard, and
welcomes the progress made by the UN General Assembly and the Security
Council in deliberating the Prasmy's Report on Reforming the UN's
Peace-keeping Operations.
Since its first dispatch of military observers to the UN peacekeeping
activities in 1990, the PLA of China has successively taken part in 10 UN
peace-keeping operations. So far it has sent more than 650 military
observers, liaison officers, advisors or staff officers and 800 (in two
batches) engineering officers and men to the UN peacekeeping operations.
At present, 53 Chinese military observers are still serving in 6
regions, and 2 staff officers working in the UN peacekeeping department.
Four Chinese servicemen have laid down their lives, and dozens have been
wounded in UN peace-keeping operations.
After its first dispatch of 15 policemen to UN peace-keeping
operations in January 2000, the Chinese government has sent in succession
198 civilian policemen to serve with UNTAET and UNMIBH.
In May 1997, the Chinese government decided, in principle, to take
part in the UN's stand-by arrangements for its peace-keeping operations.
In January 2002, China formally participated in the Class-A stand-by
arrangements mechanism for the UN peace-keeping operations, and it is
ready to provide the UN peace-keeping operations with engineering,
medical, transportation and other logistical support teams at appropriate
times. China is able to provide these operations with 1 UN standard
engineering battalion, 1 UN standard medical team and 2 UN standard
transportation companies.
Military Exchanges and Cooperation
The PLA has actively conducted military exchanges and cooperation
with other countries. The areas of its external contacts are being
gradually expanded, with the content of the contacts increasingly richer
and forms more flexible and diversified.
China has established military relations with more than 100
countries, and over 100 military attache's offices in Chinese embassies
abroad. Meanwhile, more than 70 countries have set up military
attache's offices in China. Over the past two years, the PLA has
carried out over 130 important exchange projects, sent high-level
delegations to over 60 countries, and hosted over 90 important military
leaders' delegations from some 60 countries. From May to September
2002, Chinese naval ships undertook their first round-the-world
navigation, visiting 10 countries, covering a total of over 30,000
nautical miles. The PLA's foreign military academic exchanges and
technical cooperation have also constantly developed in breadth and
depth. It has exchanged visits of more than 100 delegations or groups
of military experts with several dozen countries, and the scale of
exchanges of military students has expanded step by step. Between
October and November 2001, China held the Third Symposium on
International Issues at the National Defense University, with officers
from 18 countries participating. In October 2002, the Fourth Symposium
was held at the National Defense University, with officers from 31
countries participating.
China actively promotes military relations with countries around the
world. The relations between the armed forces of China and Russia,
under the guidance of the Sino-Russian Treaty of Good Neighborliness,
Friendship and Cooperation, have been strengthened and developed
continuously, and high-level contacts between the armed forces of the two
sides have maintained their momentum. In September 2001, the special
meeting of the China-US Military Maritime Consultation Agreement was held
in Guam, which led to the thawing of the once suspended Sino-US military
relations. In October 2002, it was agreed between the heads of state of
both countries that the military exchanges should be resumed. Sino-
Japanese military ties were resumed at the end of 2001. Meanwhile,
China-EU military relations have developed smoothly. Chinese military
delegations at various levels have made successful military visits on
invitation to many countries in Northeast, Southeast, South and Central
Asia regions. China's frontier commands have exchanged visits with
their counterparts in neighboring countries. China continues to provide
a number of developing countries with aid in personnel training,
equipment, logistical materials and medical care, and will seek to widen
the scope of contacts in the future. It has also intensified its
efforts for contacts with West Asian and African countries, and sustained
military contacts with Latin American countries.
The PLA has repeatedly sent personnel to attend multilateral security
conferences in the Asia-Pacific region, the Asia-Pacific Region Defense
Authority Officials Forum, the NEACD, the ARF, the West Pacific Naval
Forum, and other activities for multilateral security. The PLA has also
held security consultations and meetings with the defense or other
military departments of countries such as Australia, France, Germany,
India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Thailand, UK and
USA, thereby enhancing mutual trust and understanding with them.
VII. Arms Control and Disarmament
After the end of the Cold War, a series of achievements were made in
the field of international arms control, disarmament and
non-proliferation. However, this momentum has been hampered by a host
of negative developments in recent years. In the current situation, it
is vitally important to maintain the global strategic balance and
stability and the legal system governing international arms control and
disarmament. The existing legal system is an important component of the
global collective security framework centered around the United Nations.
The Chinese government is willing, together with the international
community, to contribute to the maintenance of the legal system for
international arms control and disarmament, and the advancement of the
process of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation.
Nuclear Disarmament
China has consistently advocated the complete prohibition and
thorough destruction of nuclear weapons. On the very first day it came
into possession of nuclear weapons, China solemnly declared that at no
time and under no circumstances would it be the first to use such
weapons. Later, China undertook unconditionally not to use or threaten
to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states or
nuclear-weapon-free zones, and has consistently urged all nuclear-weapon
states to enshrine these commitments in a legal form. China has always
exercised utmost restraint on the development of nuclear weapons, and its
nuclear arsenal is kept at the lowest level necessary for self-defense
only. China holds that countries having the largest nuclear arsenals
bear a special and primary responsibility toward nuclear disarmament, and
that they should take the lead in drastically reducing their nuclear
arsenals and destroy the reduced nuclear weapons. China welcomes the
new treaty signed by the US and Russia on the reduction of their
offensive strategic weapons, and hopes that these two countries will
adopt effective measures to ensure the " verifiability" and
"irreversibility" of nuclear disarmament, and continue to further the
process of nuclear disarmament, so as to genuinely promote world peace
and stability.
The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) is an important step
taken in the process of nuclear disarmament. As one of the first
countries to sign the Treaty, China has always actively participated in
the work of the Preparatory Commission of the Treaty Organization, and
earnestly carried out the preparatory work for the implementation of the
Treaty in China. The Chinese government has submitted the Treaty to the
NPC Standing Committee for examination and approval. Together with the
international community, China is ready to work for the early entry into
force of the Treaty. China maintains that the conclusion of a Fissile
Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) will help to accelerate the process of
nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation, and supports an early
start of the negotiations on such a Treaty on the basis of a
comprehensive and balanced work plan of the Conference on Disarmament
(CD).
Chemical and Biological Disarmament
China has consistently advocated the complete prohibition and
thorough destruction of chemical weapons. As a State Party to the
Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), China actively supports its purposes
and objectives and has conscientiously and strictly fulfilled all its
obligations under the Convention. China has set up a national authority
for the implementation of the Convention, and submitted its initial
declaration and all sorts of annual declarations in time. So far, China
has accepted 55 inspections by the Organization for the Prohibition of
Chemical Weapons (OPCW), and has co-sponsored, together with the OPCW,
several training courses and symposiums for inspectors.
Today, large quantities of chemical weapons abandoned by the Japanese
invaders still remain on Chinese soil. China urges Japan to earnestly
implement the obligations under the CWC for the destruction of these
weapons, and expedite the pace of the relevant work in accordance with
the Memorandum on the Destruction of Japanese Abandoned Chemical Weapons
in China between the governments of China and Japan, so as to commence as
soon as possible the substantive part of the destruction process.
China has always stood for the complete prohibition and thorough
destruction of biological weapons. China acceded to the Biological
Weapons Convention (BWC) in 1984, and has fully and conscientiously
fulfilled its obligations under the Convention. Since 1987, China has,
on an annual basis, provided the UN with information on
confidence-building measures, in accordance with the decisions of the
Review Conferences of the Convention.
China supports the enhancement of the effectiveness of the BWC in a
comprehensive manner, and has actively participated in the work of the ad
hoc group of the states parties to the Convention set up for the
negotiation of a BWC protocol. China regrets that the protocol has not
been reached as scheduled and that the Fifth Review Conference of the
Convention has had to adjourn. China holds that the conclusion of a
protocol with balanced contents and effective measures through
multilateral negotiations remains the best way to enhance the
effectiveness of the BWC. China is willing, together with all other
parties concerned, to continue to explore measures along this line on the
basis of the universal participation of all countries and within a
multilateral framework.
Missile Defense and Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space
China's stand on the issue of missile defense is consistent and
clear-cut. China understands the relevant countries' concern over the
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their means of
delivery. But, like many other countries, China holds that this issue
should be resolved through political and diplomatic means, with the
common efforts of the international community.
China regrets the abrogation of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty
(ABM). It is China's consistent view that maintaining the global
strategic stability and the international system of arms control,
disarmament and non-proliferation is vitally important and in conformity
with the fundamental interests of all countries. China hopes that the
relevant countries will heed the opinions of the international community,
and act prudently on the issue of missile defense. At the same time,
China is willing to conduct constructive dialogue with all the parties
involved, and make joint efforts to safeguard international peace and
security.
China is concerned about certain countries' joint research and
development of theater missile defense (TMD) systems with a view to their
deployment in the Northeast Asian region. This will lead to the
proliferation of advanced missile technology and be detrimental to peace
and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. China resolutely opposes any
country which provides Taiwan with TMD assistance or protection in any
form.
Outer space belongs to all mankind, and the peaceful use of outer
space is the common aspiration of all humanity. At present, outer space
is faced with the danger of weaponization, and protection of outer space
from weaponization and an arms race has become a very urgent and
realistic issue. The international community should negotiate and
conclude the necessary legal instrument as soon as possible to prohibit
the deployment of weapons in outer space and the use or threat of use of
force against objects in outer space, so as to ensure peace and
tranquility therein. China holds that the Conference on Disarmament in
Geneva is the suitable place for negotiations on this matter. China has
submitted several working papers to the Conference, putting forward its
suggestions on the main points of a future international legal
instrument. In June 2002, China, Russia and some other countries
jointly submitted to the Conference a working paper titled Possible
Elements for a Future International Legal Agreement on the Prevention of
the Deployment of Weapons in Outer Space, the Threat or Use of Force
Against Outer Space Objects (Draft), setting forth their concept on the
general structure and concrete contents of such a document. The
above-mentioned working paper has received favorable responses from many
countries. China hopes that the Conference will carry out substantive
work on this issue at an early date, and start negotiating an
international legal instrument, thus making positive efforts for the
prevention of the weaponization of outer space and an arms race therein.
Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Their Means of
Delivery
China has always been opposed to the proliferation of WMD and their
means of delivery. It supports the international community's active
efforts of non-proliferation, and has made its own contributions in this
area. China maintains that the efforts of non-proliferation should not
be confined to non-proliferation itself and should also include the
identification and resolution of its root causes. Establishing a fair
and rational new international order and realizing the universal
improvement of international relations are the fundamental way to
eliminate the threat of WMD. Preventing terrorist organizations and
other non- state entities from obtaining WMD is a common task confronting
the international community. China is willing, together with the
international community, to make common efforts for the establishment of
a fair, rational and effective multilateral non- proliferation regime
based on the participation of all countries.
China is a State Party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of
Nuclear Weapons (NPT). It has always abided by its obligations under
the Treaty, and pursues a policy of not advocating, not encouraging and
not engaging in the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and not helping
other countries to develop nuclear weapons. China has also formulated
three principles governing its nuclear exports: guarantees for peaceful
use only, acceptance of the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA), and no re-transfer to the third country without prior
approval of China. In order to strengthen its nuclear export control
mechanism, China joined the Zangger Committee in 1997, and has
established and improved on its relevant domestic legal system. China
promulgated, respectively in September 1997 and June 1998, the
Regulations on the Control of Nuclear Export and Regulations on the
Control of Nuclear Dual-Use Items and Related Technologies Export, under
which China exercises control over the export of materials and
technologies included in the list of the Zangger Committee and the list
of nuclear dual-use items and technologies currently in use
internationally. These regulations stipulate that China's nuclear
exports shall be done exclusively by specialized companies designated by
the government, that a licensing system shall be instituted for nuclear
export, and that China shall not provide any assistance to any nuclear
facility which is not under the IAEA safeguards. In order to strengthen
the effectiveness of the IAEA safeguard system and fulfill its own
non-proliferation obligations, China formally notified the IAEA on March
28, 2002 that it had completed the domestic legal procedures necessary
for the entry into force of the Protocol Additional to the Agreement
Between China and IAEA for the Application of Safeguards in China, and
that the Protocol became effective for China on the same day. China was
the first of the nuclear-weapon states to complete the above-mentioned
procedures.
China is in favor of IAEA making its contributions to the protection
against potential nuclear terrorist activities in accordance with
purposes and principles of its Statute, and will provide appropriate
assistance to the anti-terrorism activities of the Agency.
Strengthening the physical protection of nuclear facilities and material
is conducive to nuclear non-proliferation and prevention of nuclear
terrorism. China has actively participated in the revision of the
Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, and is ready
to make every effort to facilitate this process.
China strictly adheres to its obligations under the CWC and BWC, and
will not in any way help or encourage any country to obtain chemical or
biological weapons. China has consistently adopted a prudent and
responsible attitude toward the export of chemicals or biological agents,
as well as related production equipment and technologies. To ensure
that exports of such material from China are not used for manufacturing
chemical or biological weapons, the Chinese government has promulgated
and implemented the Regulations of the PRC on the Administration of the
Controlled Chemicals, and the detailed rules for its implementation,
thereby placing the export of related material under stringent control.
The Amendments to the Criminal Law of the PRC promulgated in December
2001 designates as criminal offenses such acts of endangering public
security as using, illegally manufacturing, trafficking, transporting and
stockpiling radioactive substances, toxic materials or infectious disease
pathogens, and stipulates corresponding penalties for these acts. In
order to further strengthen the export control of the chemicals and
dual-use biological products and related technologies and equipment, the
Chinese government promulgated in October 2002 the Measures on Export
Control of Certain Chemicals and Related Equipment and Technologies
(including its control list), the Regulations of the PRC on the Export
Control of Dual-Use Biological Agents and Related Equipment and
Technologies (including its control list), and the newly revised
Regulations of the PRC on the Administration of Arms Export.
In recent years, the question of missile proliferation has aroused
extensive concern in the international community. China also attaches
great importance to this issue. The international community should, on
the basis of such principles as non- discrimination and undiminished
security for all countries, seek a solution to this issue through
dialogue and cooperation, including exploring the possibility of
establishing a new multilateral mechanism. China supports the United
Nations in its efforts to play an important role in this field, and has
actively participated in the UN Group of Governmental Experts on
Missiles. China adopts an open attitude toward the new proposals made
by countries concerned, and has, with a constructive stance, participated
in international discussions on the International Code of Conduct Against
Ballistic Missile Proliferation and the Proposal on a Global System for
Non-proliferation of Missile Technologies. With respect to the
prevention of missile proliferation, the Chinese government has always
adopted a serious, conscientious and responsible attitude, has not helped
any country to develop ballistic missiles that can be used to deliver
nuclear weapons, and has exercised strict control over the export of
missiles and related material and technologies. In August 2002, the
Chinese government formally promulgated the Regulations on the Export
Control of Missiles and Missile-Related Items and Technologies and its
control list. This is a major measure taken by the Chinese government
to implement its policy of missile non- proliferation, further tightening
control over the export of missiles and related material and
technologies, and strengthening the administration of exports on a legal
basis. In the future, China will, based on its own export control
practice, continue to improve its legal system of export control. It is
also willing to enhance exchanges and cooperation with all countries in
this respect, actively participate in the discussions concerning the
international non-proliferation mechanisms, and work for the final
establishment of a fair, rational and effective international non-
proliferation regime.
Small Arms and Anti-Personnel Landmines
China has always treated seriously the issue of illicit trafficking
and excessive accumulation of small arms, and consistently taken a
responsible attitude toward the manufacture and transfer of such arms.
China has also actively participated in the endeavors of the
international community in this regard. With a constructive attitude,
China attended the UN Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and
Light Weapons in All Its Aspects in July 2001, and is taking actions to
implement the Program of Action adopted at the Conference. China has
actively participated in the negotiations of the Firearms Protocol to the
UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crimes, making its
contributions to the conclusion of the Protocol. China is positively
considering signing the Protocol. Both the Law of the PRC on the
Control of Firearms and the Regulations of the PRC on the Administration
of Arms Export have contained detailed stipulations on the manufacture,
transportation, sales, equipment, and entry and exit control of firearms
and ammunition, put in place strict controls over the export of small
arms and other military items, and laid out severe penalties for
violations. In 2001, China launched a nationwide campaign to eliminate
illegal firearms, in the course of which large quantities of illegal
firearms were confiscated and destroyed.
Since its ratification of the Amended Protocol II to the Convention
on Certain Conventional Weapons in 1998, China has continued to carry out
its commitment not to export anti-personnel landmines (APL) that are not
in conformity with the standards set out in the Protocol, and has made
considerable progress in other aspects of the implementation of the
Protocol. The PLA has held a number of training courses on the
Protocol. Relevant departments are now formulating a series of rules
and standards in accordance with the provisions of the Protocol,
including the state military standards related to the technical
performance of APLs and marking of minefields.
China continues to promote domestic and international mine clearance
efforts. China is now basically safe from landmine hazards on its own
territory. In 2001, China donated large quantities of demining
equipment to Cambodia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Mozambique, Rwanda, Namibia and
Angola. In 2002, it contributed more than 3 million US dollars for
international mine clearance cooperation, mainly in aid to the demining
operations in Eritrea and Lebanon. Apart from providing the two
countries with demining equipment, China has sent a group of mine
clearance experts to Eritrea to give on-the-spot guidance.
[Description of Source: Beijing Xinhua in English -- China's official
news service for English-language audiences (New China News Agency)]
