"Resolutely defending national sovereignty, security, and development interests is the fundamental goal of China's national defense in the new era." China published the white paper "China's National Defense in the New Era" on the 24th. This is the 10th national defense white paper published by the Chinese government since 1998 and the first comprehensive national defense white paper published since the beginning of the new era. This national defense white paper immediately attracted widespread attention at home and abroad, and many sentences in the white paper were quoted and interpreted by major international media. Agence France-Presse stated that China is focusing on building a high-tech modern army, and its strategic goal is to "strive to basically realize the modernization of national defense and military by 2035, and fully build the people's army into a world-class army by the middle of this century." South Korea's "Asia Economy" stated on the 24th that the national defense white paper published this time emphasizes that China's national defense development is not to compete for hegemony, but to defend national sovereignty and interests, and is a defensive force. Regarding the issue of China's military expenditure that has attracted international attention in recent years, overseas media have quoted the white paper's data on the comparison of China's military expenditure with that of other major countries: China's average defense expenditure as a percentage of GDP ranks sixth among the world's major powers, and is also the lowest among the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. The white paper's particularly harsh words on the Taiwan issue shocked the island. On the 24th, Taiwan's major media reported the words of the spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, Colonel Wu Qian, at a press conference: "The signal we want to convey is very clear, pursuing 'Taiwan independence' is a dead end, and China must not be less."

"China will never be spared." Do not seek hegemony."

"After four years, China has released its national defense white paper again. While highlighting its defensive national defense, it also emphasizes the legitimacy of its military rise." South Korea's "Asia Economy" said on the 24th that this year's national defense white paper emphasizes that China's military modernization has nothing to do with the pursuit of hegemony and is a defensive national defense policy. The white paper points out that resolutely defending national sovereignty, security, and development interests is the fundamental goal of China's national defense in the new era; insisting on never seeking hegemony, expansion, and sphere of influence is a distinctive feature of China's national defense in the new era. According to the report, the white paper also compared the proportion of defense expenditure in GDP between China and other major countries in the world from 2012 to 2017, pointing out that China's proportion was only 1.3%, far lower than the United States (3.5%), Russia (4.4%), India (2.5%), the United Kingdom (2.0%), France (2.3%) and other countries.

This is China’s tenth national defense white paper. From 1998 to 2010, a white paper on "China's National Defense" was released every two years. In 2013 and 2015, China released two thematic national defense white papers: "The Diversified Use of China's Armed Forces" and "China's Military Strategy." In late November 2015, the Central Military Commission's reform work conference was held, and China's military reform was fully launched. No national defense white paper was released to the outside world in the future. "Deutsche Welle" stated on the 24th that China's new national defense white paper will help the international community understand China's military development and help resolve the "China threat theory."

"China is focusing on building a high-tech modern army." Agence France-Presse stated that this national defense white paper provides the world with a rare opportunity to observe China's military and military ambitions. The white paper outlines China's plan to build a modern high-tech army. The white paper emphasizes that the international military competition landscape is undergoing historic changes. "The form of war is accelerating its evolution towards information-based warfare, and intelligent warfare is beginning to take shape." China's "military modernization level still lags far behind national security needs and the world's advanced military level."".

"J-20 and Dongfeng-26 are on the list! The Chinese Communist Party's national defense white paper includes the main battle equipment of the People's Liberation Army for the first time." Taiwan's "Dongsen News" said that the white paper announced for the first time the main battle equipment of the People's Liberation Army Army, Navy, Air Force Rocket Force, etc. Models, including Type 15 tanks, 052D destroyers, J-20 fighter jets, Dongfeng-26 medium and long-range ballistic missiles and other main combat equipment of the People's Liberation Army, Navy, Air Force and Rocket Force, reports said that these weapons are included in the national defense white paper. , it can be seen that these equipment have not only been put into service in large quantities, but have also formed combat capabilities and have been fully trained for actual combat. These main combat equipment are independently innovative by China and are at the global leading level in overall design and related new technologies. These new main combat equipment will further enhance the PLA's comprehensive combat capabilities and help the PLA better shoulder the mission of safeguarding national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.

"China will not be the world's leader. The Russian Satellite News Agency said that the national defense white paper issued by China clearly stated that it would not engage in a nuclear arms race with any country and would always maintain its nuclear forces at the minimum level required for national security. The report quoted Sanakoyev, director of the Russia-China Analysis Center, as saying that China believes that it is possible to establish a more secure world order. This refers to a multi-polar world, rather than China replacing the United States, which currently serves as the hegemon and world's military policeman. Dao said that China, Russia and most countries in the world are looking forward to building a multi-polar world. Only in this way will mankind be safer.

In an interview with reporters on the 24th, Zhang Junshe, a researcher at the Naval Research Institute, said that since the 18th National Congress, China has taken historic steps in its national defense construction and military reform. This national defense white paper not only demonstrates China’s determination and will to resolutely defend national sovereignty, security, and development interests, but also elaborates on China’s impact on the world in building a strong military. The white paper clearly stated that no matter how far China develops, it will not follow the old path of pursuing hegemony and "a strong country will seek hegemony." Zhang Junshe said that a strong Chinese military is a staunch force in maintaining world peace and stability. With the development of China's military power, the Chinese military's ability to fulfill its international responsibilities and obligations will continue to increase, and it will provide more and more international public security products.

"China. The national defense white paper accuses the United States of undermining global strategic stability. The Associated Press said that in the opening section of China's new version of the national defense white paper, which talks about "unstable factors" in the international security environment, the United States is the first country criticized by China. The white paper said that the United States pursues unilateralist policies, provokes and intensifies competition among major powers, significantly increases military investment, accelerates the improvement of capabilities in nuclear, space, network, missile defense and other fields, and damages global strategic stability. The Associated Press quoted a person in Military analysts in Hong Kong said that the West, led by the United States, continues to contain China. The actions taken by the United States on issues such as Taiwan, the South China Sea, North Korea, and Iran have further made China realize that the United States is the "initiator" of China's security concerns. The report stated that China chose to release the defense white paper at this time to "warn the United States and other Western forces not to underestimate China's determination."

On the 24th, the State Council Information Office issued a statement on "China in the New Era." At a press conference on the "National Defense" white paper, a CNN reporter asked that the new U.S. Defense Secretary Esper is a recognized hardliner on China in the United States. He has claimed that the strategic competitive relationship between the Chinese and American militaries is the basis of his entire cognitive system; he also said that the Chinese and Russian militaries have vigorously developed military capabilities and weapons and equipment in recent years. It is a long-term threat to the United States. "Are you worried about the relationship between the Chinese and American militaries after Esper becomes Defense Secretary? "In response, Ministry of National Defense spokesperson WuQian said that we hope that the relationship between the Chinese and American militaries can develop healthily and stably during Esper’s tenure. However, I would like to emphasize two points here: First, China's sovereignty, security, and development interests cannot be violated. Second, the development of China's military strength is entirely the development of world peace forces.

Military expert Li Jie told reporters on the 24th that every Chinese citizen can see very clearly that the overall strategic situation we face is far more complex and severe than in previous years, such as the Sino-US trade war, "Hong Kong independence" issues, "Taiwan independence" issues and other deep-seated strategic structural contradictions. These problems may not seem to be closely related, but they are actually caused by the series of strategies implemented by the United States and Western forces to block China. In addition to starting from trade and economic aspects, the United States and Western forces are also putting pressure on China in all aspects such as diplomacy, politics, science and technology, security, and military affairs, and are using a combination of measures to contain and contain China in an attempt to eventually crush China.

Li Jie said that the military is a strong pillar in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests. An important aspect of the pressure exerted by the United States and other Western forces on China is the application of military power and security means. Therefore, if we do not strengthen our national defense capabilities, we may have major problems. Only when we become stronger will Western forces dare not act rashly.

"Pursuing 'Taiwan independence' is a dead end"

"The situation of the anti-secession struggle has become more severe." Taiwan's "United Daily News" stated on the 24th that the mainland's national defense white paper elaborated at length that "'Taiwan independence' separatist forces and their activities have always been the biggest real threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the biggest obstacle to the peaceful reunification of the motherland." Taiwan's "China Times Electronic News" stated that the white paper warned that the Democratic Progressive Party authorities stubbornly adhere to the separatist stance of "Taiwan independence", refuse to recognize the "1992 Consensus" that embodies the one-China principle, step up the implementation of "de-China" and "gradual Taiwan independence", attempt to promote "legal Taiwan independence", intensify hostile confrontation, coerce foreign self-respect, and go further and further on the road to separatism. The white paper emphasizes that China must be reunified and will inevitably be reunified.

Taiwan's "Central News Agency" stated that China specifically discussed the Taiwan issue in its national defense white paper for the first time in 2000, emphasizing that "creating 'split' means not wanting cross-strait peace." The white papers released in 2013 and 2015 stated that "'Taiwan independence' separatist forces and their separatist activities remain the greatest threat to the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations." According to the report, compared with the relevant content of the previously released white paper, the newly released national defense white paper describes the Taiwan issue earlier, and is divided into separate paragraphs, with increased length and harsher wording.

The white paper's stern warning against "Taiwan independence" shocked Taiwan. "Lianhe Daily" stated that Wu Qian, spokesman for the mainland's Ministry of National Defense, said at the press conference that day, "We believe that flesh and blood are closely related to each other and blood is thicker than water. We are willing to strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and our greatest efforts." Wu Qian emphasized that through this white paper, “the signal we want to convey is very clear: pursuing ‘Taiwan independence’ is a dead end, and China cannot be spared at all.” "If someone dares to try to separate Taiwan from China, the Chinese military will not hesitate to fight to resolutely defend the country's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity."