Dr John Chipman, Director General and Chief Executive, IISS
Finally we invite General Ma Xiaotian, who is the Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the PLA. We have received him before at the Shangri-La Dialogue, first as Lieutenant General, and we are delighted that in July 2009 he was promoted to full general, to invite him, General Ma, to address the audience.
General Ma Xiaotian, Deputy Chief of General Staff, People’s Liberation Army, China
[As translated from Chinese: Thank you, Dr. Chipman.
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,
It is a great pleasure to come back to Singapore to attend the Shangri-La Dialogue. I am delighted to see old friends and meet new ones from Asia-Pacific nations. As an active endeavour to establish Asia-Pacific security partnerships, this platform provides an opportunity for government and military leaders of the region to better understand each other. We appreciate the International Institute for Strategic Studies and the Singaporean Government for their great efforts.
Ladies and gentlemen, today, as the nature of international security changes, interaction among major countries is more intensive, and it is becoming a shared view of the international community to address common security challenges facing mankind through cooperation. The Asia-Pacific security situation remains stable on the whole. With a stronger aspiration to participate in security cooperation, nations in the region have come up with various initiatives and proposals to strengthen regional cooperation. They have steadily advanced the integration of ASEAN, actively promoted the ASEAN Regional Forum, and initiated the ADMM plus, making significant contribution to regional peace and stability.
Meanwhile, the regional security situation is confronted with many challenges. Terrorist, separatist and extremist forces still pose a grave threat to regional security. Non-traditional security issues such as food security, energy and resource security, public health security, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, organized transnational crime, and natural disasters have become more prominent. A cold-war mentality still exists, as is often shown by efforts to strengthen military alliances via new technologies, the threat to use force in international relations, and interference in other countries' internal affairs. Regional hotspot issues come up over and again. We believe that in the face of the complicated security situation, nations concerned should remain calm and exercise restraint and avoid escalation of tension, so as to jointly maintain regional peace and stability.
It is worth noting that in recent years, maritime affairs and issues related to the cyberspace, outer space, climate and environment have become increasingly prominent, forming new dimensions of security. These new security issues have come into being along with the continuous improvement in mankind's ability to develop themselves and the constant expansion of the space for human development. The solution to these problems ultimately lies in further development and cooperation. Relevant issues should neither be politicized nor used as excuses to put pressure on other countries in pursuit of one's own interest. The international community should bear in mind both the history and reality in handling those issues. While upholding every nation's right to strive for sustainable development, we should also give full consideration to the actual development level of different nations and gradually establish fair and effective international norms through serious, responsible and constructive negotiations.
Ladies and gentlemen, in examining the past, we shall be able to know the future. The path taken by any nation will be impartially recorded in history. About 600 years ago, when ancient China was at its peak strength, Zheng He led seven voyages to the western seas, bringing with him gifts and goodwill rather than colonialism. Fifty years ago, when meeting with Montgomery, the British Field Marshal, Chairman Mao Zedong said, "Fifty years from now, China's territory will remain 9,600,000 square kilometers.... Should we seize one inch of land from others, we would make ourselves aggressors." Deng Xiaoping, chief architect of China's reform and opening-up, also pointed out that China would never seek hegemony even when it grows stronger.
At present, some people still view China's development with suspicion, worrying that China will seek expansion and hegemony when it becomes strong, like some western countries did. To some extent, their worries are understandable. In modern times, hegemonism and power politics have inflicted too much suffering on people around the world. We should never forget the historical lessons. Fortunately, the lessons and values that stood the test of time can guide us through the swirls in our way ahead.
In the traditional Chinese culture, we believe that "one should help others succeed before he himself succeeds; one should help others prosper before he himself prospers". We think this ancient wisdom for personal survival can provide a reference to international relations today. That is, every country should combine the interest of its own people with the shared interests of people across the world, and its own national security with the common security of the international community. Only common development can guarantee sustainable development for all, and only common security is truly sustainable security. This is by no means an abstract philosophical thinking. It has been implemented by China in the practice of foreign strategy. We believe that maintaining security in the Asia-Pacific region serves China's interest, and it is also China's responsibility. China's security and strategic goals in the Asia-Pacific region are as follows:
Safeguarding China's own security and development: As a country with the most neighbours both on land and across the sea, China's security environment is one of the most complicated in the world. It always has the heavy task of maintaining its own security. Specifically, China has yet to achieve national unification and there is still support for the separatist forces from outside the country. The development of China's national defence capabilities is not aimed at challenging, threatening or invading any other country but at, first and foremost, maintaining its own security. Meanwhile, China needs an international environment that is peaceful, stable, harmonious and cooperative. China's national defence forces are responsible for guaranteeing the country's peaceful and sustainable development. In fact, as China becomes more prosperous and developed, it will be better able and more determined to maintain peace.
Maintaining lasting peace and common prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region: As China's economy continues to grow, it is increasingly interdependent with the entire Asia-Pacific region. The prosperity, development and stability of the Asia-Pacific benefits from that of China; meanwhile, China cannot develop itself without the security, stability and economic prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region. China has the responsibility to make greater contribution to regional peace and prosperity and it is willing to do so. To that end, the Chinese government is committed to seeking peaceful solutions to regional hotspot issues and is firmly opposed to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery vehicles. The Chinese armed forces have actively undertaken international responsibilities and participated in international cooperation in the non-traditional security field, including peacekeeping operations, disaster relief and counter-piracy. We are committed to maintaining a security environment that is conducive to the economic prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region.
Building a harmonious Asia-pacific community: Asia-Pacific countries are diversified in cultural tradition, social system and values. We believe that there can be tolerance between different social systems, cooperation between different development patterns, and that different civilizations can learn from each other, different cultural traditions can interact with one another. Only through harmonious coexistence can we ensure lasting peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific. Open security cooperation, as an important means to achieve a harmonious Asia-Pacific community, is conducive to creating a sound climate for the common development of regional economies. By actively participating in multilateral regional mechanisms of security cooperation such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) and the ASEAN Regional Forum, China has helped strengthen strategic mutual trust among regional countries and promote practical defense and security cooperation under multilateral frameworks. China has made substantive contribution to building a harmonious Asia-Pacific community through promoting security cooperation.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are keenly aware that to achieve the above-mentioned strategic goals of Asia-Pacific security, China itself needs to make an effort and we also need to work together with other countries in the region. We believe that in the face of the new security challenges, regional countries should embrace and implement a new security concept featuring mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and coordination. We should strive to build a new type of partnership. In this connection, we have the following proposals.
First, foster a concept of integrated security and build comprehensive partnerships. At present, the Asia-Pacific region is witnessing intertwined traditional and non-traditional security threats that are manifested in the political, military, economic, social, cultural and other fields. The threats are of different types, result from complicated causes, and take various forms. This requires us to view security with a broader perspective and particularly pay great attention to the close link between development and security. We should not treat only the symptoms but not the causes, still less try to put out a fire with a hammer. Partnerships focusing only on the security part is often lacking in potential. Security cooperation should not be placed above cooperation in other areas. Instead, it should be an integral part of a new kind of partnership featuring comprehensive cooperation.
Second, foster a concept of common security and build equal partnerships. Many of the world's security threats today do not stop at traditional national borders. No country can address the transnational security threats that we face on its own. Only when Asia-Pacific countries unite as one to tackle these threats can common security be achieved. Needless to say, countries have different security concerns and difference capabilities in addressing common security threats. But all countries, big or small, strong or weak, are equal players in maintaining common security. In the process of countering common security threats, countries should accommodate each other's concerns and build security partnerships on an equal footing.
Third, foster a concept of inclusive security and build partnerships based on mutual trust. Historically we have seen many examples of seeking security through the formation of alliances and confrontation among difference alliances, which often severely undermined the security of other countries and brought heavy burdens to the allies themselves. Exclusive military alliances are outdated. Furthermore, they are not helpful for building trust and hence are perilous. The new type of security partnership should be inclusive and aimed at fostering mutual trust on the basis of full respect for each other's core interest. We believe that the ASEAN Way, which has gradually taken shape through practice and features equality, decision through consensus, mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, is a role model of the new type of partnership.
Fourth, foster a concept of cooperative security and build mutually beneficial partnerships. Security used to be a concept of zero-sum games that can only be achieved through arms races and weakening the adversaries. But such security came at a high cost. The world we live in today presents us with a new option, that is, seeking security through cooperation. The new type of partnership should focus on win-win progress, seek converging points of security interests, start from the easy areas and build on existing security cooperation to gradually promote practical cooperation in wide-ranging fields. As shared interests expand through cooperation, a pattern of interconnected interests, mutual benefit and win-win progress will be created.
Fifth, foster a concept of evolving security and build forward-looking partnerships. Understanding of security issues continues to evolve. With the passage of time and with progress of the human society, it is likely that many historical security dilemmas can be resolved or transcended. We stand for viewing security issues as in continuous development, take a long-term perspective instead of confining ourselves to the near term or a single incident. Even partners may have troubles or conflicts. But we should not let partial conflicts of interests damage the overall security interests of the region. Countries should build new partnerships oriented toward the future on the basis of acknowledging history and respecting diversity. As a pilot, I know very well how important speed and direction are in military operations. But on issues concerning the security of nations, states and the entire region, patience and vision may be more important.
Ladies and Gentlemen, following the successful Beijing Olympic Games in 2008, China is now hosting the World Expo in Shanghai, which has attracted worldwide attention. It is not only a grand event for countries to increase economic and cultural exchange and promote human progress, but also an opportunity for countries to enhance understanding, strengthen cooperation, develop and consolidate partnerships. Moreover, it is a good opportunity for the world to better understand China. We warmly welcome friends from the Asia-Pacific region and around the world to go to Shanghai and join us in the grand event so as to deepen our friendship. Come to see the World Expo, and come to experience China.
Thank you.]
Dr John Chipman
Thank you General Ma, in particular for your strong endorsement of the advantages of multilateral security cooperation in Asia, including the ASEAN model in this regard. Thank you also for your proposals for the efforts that China will continue to make, especially in defining the different types of security issues that this region must grapple with.