•China and Africa are faced with common security threats, particularly from Western countries who seek to interfere in their internal affairs for geopolitical ends.
•Basically, the military and the national defense system is supposed to offer strategic support in the national development process.
On July 28, Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is also the chairman of the country’s Central Military Commission, presented the revered August 1 Medal to three servicemen of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). One of the awardees of this highest honor in the Chinese military, an astronaut, was honored for his space exploits. The second was a demining soldier who lost his eyes during landmine sweeping, and the third is China’s top defense engineering expert.
This gesture speaks volumes about the new look PLA as a force that, while it is primarily a combat outfit, is in touch with its sense of humanity and compassion.
Three years have passed since China released its 10th national defense white paper on July 24, 2019. Titled "China's National Defense in the New Era", it is the first comprehensive defense paper published since the 18th National Party Congress in November 2012. The paper spells out the country’s Defensive National Defense Policy in the emerging dispensation amid the unfolding unpredictable global security situation.
The white paper suggests reforms in both national defense and armed forces, sets what is reasonable and even appropriate defense expenditure, and looks at the army’s contribution in building a shared future for humanity. Now, this is revolutionary thinking in a world where the military is used to suppress and intimidate those it is supposed to defend, and where politicians allocate inordinately huge funds in military expenditure.
August 1 marks the 95th anniversary of the PLA. Not many countries have such an event that celebrates the role of their armed forces in national development. Moreover, the fact that the PLA has been around steadfastly for almost a century is evidence of a motivated and professional force.
Xi paid tribute to veterans and heroes who contributed to the development of people's armed forces and representatives of army role models. He also sent regards to people dedicating themselves to the front of defense-related science, technology, and industry. He expressed gratitude to Party committees, governments, and people's organisations at all levels that have unrelentingly supported the efforts to strengthen the country's national defense and armed forces.
Significantly, the PLA has not been engaged in any major external war in modern times, which is uncommon compared to major Western countries that use their military might as a tool for establishing and entrenching their geopolitical hegemony. But while the Chinese military does not threaten neighboring countries or others interests, it is not a sitting duck either.
In his speech marking the occasion, Xi stated that “China will always, as ever before, be a promoter of world peace, contributor to global development, and upholder of the international order, and hence the Chinese army will always be a staunch force in keeping world peace.”
Image: Reuters
The second China-Africa Peace and Security Forum held via video link on July 25 shows growing cooperation in peace and security between the two partners. While the proposed physical programs including stepping up equipment and technological cooperation and deepening joint maritime exercises and training are crucial for enhancing joint security, the ideological component is equally important. The philosophy behind PLA shows that the military should be a defensive force and an agent of peace, rather than a bully.
China and Africa are faced with common security threats, particularly from Western countries who seek to interfere in their internal affairs for geopolitical ends. For long the West was fingered as a major factor in the instability that faced several African countries, with accusations that it stokes civil strife and sends Western backed peacekeepers.
Countries must lead their armed forces in enhancing their political loyalty, strengthening them through reform and technology and the training of competent personnel, running them in accordance with the law, and intensifying military training for better combat readiness.President Xi Jinping
Even today, it is easy to discern the source of the world’s general insecurity. Some superpowers are mobilizing other countries to form security pacts in the guise of facing external threats. Contrariwise, these pacts are aimed at intimidating and even confronting countries that have charted their own social, economic and political destiny.
Obvious outcomes of Western meddling include the Russia-Ukraine war, and the tension in Taiwan. The U.S. is the common denominator in both of these crises, taking the lead in whipping up emotions through massive misinformation campaigns. Fortunately, China and Russia’s militaries are forces to reckon with, and have offered their countries the necessary protection, or in Russia’s case, claiming their rights.
Basically, the military and the national defense system is supposed to offer strategic support in the national development process. They are supposed to defend the legitimate interests of a country. To achieve these milestones, President Xi noted, countries must lead their “armed forces in enhancing their political loyalty, strengthening them through reform and technology and the training of competent personnel, running them in accordance with the law, and intensifying military training for better combat readiness.”
Rather than being a political weapon or an appendage of the political class, the PLA is part and parcel of China’s body politic. While the military obviously retains the monopoly of violence, it is also seen as a force for good over evil, an aim China plans to achieve through the “military-civilian integration” debated at the 2017 National People’s Congress.
The writer is the Executive Director of South-South Dialogues, a Nairobi based research and development communication think tank.