A Professor and Major General of the National Security College of the National Defense
University, and a member of the National Security Discipline Evaluation Group of the State
Council, published (June 29) an article on the changing nature of international relations. He
wrote that 'The world has increasingly shown a trend of multi-polarization and pluralism, and
the demand for democratization of international relations has increased accordingly. Although
the contradiction between hegemonic dominance and multi-party checks and balances will
continue for a long period of time, a new power structure is in the process of being formed, and
the forces and roles affecting the world situation are increasing, as are the ways and methods.
In an increasingly diverse world, it is difficult for any major country, including existing
hegemonic countries, to have sufficient resources and conditions to dominate the fate of other
countries, let alone block or reverse the direction of historical development. Today's world
needs to form an open and inclusive multi-governance model, so as to adapt to the profound
changes in the world situation, effectively respond to the increasingly severe threats and
challenges facing mankind, and achieve sustainable security. That is to say, multiple power
centers, multiple governance models, and multiple ideas and trends will produce the meaning
of international order. Changes in the world involve all countries and all levels, especially in the current situation of
increasing chaos and aggravating problems. Overemphasizing self-interest and rules and
standards are likely to have a strong backlash effect. Only by insisting on coordination in
diversification can the road go wider. The international community's demand for peace,
stability and sustainable development has not diminished, but has become more significant and
urgent. Only by building a broad international consensus and strengthening global governance
can we find ways and means to resolve global and transnational issues. As a major force in the
world, major powers shoulder more responsibilities in maintaining world peace and promoting
global development, and have extensive common interests in international and regional hotspot
issues such as climate change, green development, and regional stability, and must jointly face
the increasing number of global and transnational risks and threats.
In the evolution of world history so far, the way to obtain self-interest by relying on power,
expansion, plunder, and war is no longer appropriate and will inevitably be subject to more and
more constraints'.
He argued that 'Adhering to the concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and
sustainable security, we must abandon zero-sum games , oppose hegemonism and power
politics, build a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice,
and win-win cooperation, and foster a sense of community that shares weal and woe and weal
and woe together. Only in this way can we promote more effective international security
cooperation and create favourable conditions for building a community with a shared future
for mankind.
At present, global governance and the international order have entered an important stage of
change, and the future direction is highly uncertain. Almost all countries must re-establish their
positions in the changing world, including China and the United States'. He stressed that ' that
the zero-sum game of non-alliance or confrontation is becoming more and more out of date.
Too much emphasis on "national priority" will not only harm the world, but will also harm
itself'. He said 'As an indispensable and important force in the changing world, it is necessary
for China to participate more deeply in global governance and regional cooperation. While
promoting and maintaining world peace and development, it also creates a favourable external
environment for national rejuvenation. This also means that it needs to assume more
international responsibilities and obligations, and to participate more actively in international affairs, even including the settlement of disputes and conflicts in some regions, and the
challenges it faces will also rise. China's future and destiny are increasingly closely linked with
the future and destiny of the world. China will abide by the foreign policy purpose of
maintaining world peace and promoting common development , unswervingly develop friendly
cooperation with other countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence,
and promote the building of a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect,
fairness, and justice, and win-win cooperation'. Stating that 'At present, the international order
and global governance have entered a period of important changes, the original power structure
has loosened, and the trend of complicating international relations has become more apparent',
he said these provide 'new conditions for China's peaceful development and enhancement of
its international influence'. 'China's strategic tasks for a long period of time in the future will
still be very arduous. Although China adheres to the path of peaceful development and strives
to pursue cooperation and win-win in international political and security affairs, the inherent
power and political logic of US foreign policy is unlikely to change substantially . As it
continues to deepen, the misunderstanding of identifying China as the biggest "challenger" and
"real opponent" is difficult to simply eliminate. Its approach of using some hot issues to contain
China will not be easily stopped, and it may even provoke serious troubles under certain
circumstances. How to effectively prevent and deter serious direct conflicts caused by the
United States or a group of countries headed by the United States, continuously expand the
space for exchanges between major powers, and promote international and regional
cooperation will remain important tasks. However, in the long run, the times and trends are on
the side of China and the people of the world. The development and progress of more than 1.4
billion people cannot be stopped by any force. The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation
itself constitutes an important part of the changing world. An increasingly strong and advancing
China is an indispensable force for maintaining international security and promoting world
prosperity, and the rapidly changing world also needs more wisdom and contributions from
China'.
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