China Maps Out 'Active Defense' Military Strategy Aimed Against Hegemonism

China's State Council Information Office released a 9,000-word white paper outlining Beijing's military strategy of active defense to secure the country's peaceful development, allowing it conduct an independent foreign policy and meeting global threats, including hegemonism and neo-interventionism.

"China will unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development, pursue an independent foreign policy of peace and a national defense policy that is defensive in nature, oppose hegemonism and power politics in all forms, and will never seek hegemony or expansion," the document said.

The white paper defined active defense as "adherence to the unity of strategic defense and operational and tactical offense; adherence to the principles of defense, self-defense and post-emptive strike; and adherence to the stance that 'We will not attack unless we are attacked, but we will surely counterattack if attacked.'"

Security situation as per "china's military strategy paper":US's Asia pivot, Japan,SCS meddling,'smoldering' disputes pic.twitter.com/3S0JfjmJr8

— Devirupa Mitra (@DevirupaM) 26 мая 2015

The world will largely remain peaceful since a world war is unlikely to erupt in the near future, according to China. On the other hand, local wars tearing apart different regions of the world are inevitable.

The document singled out hegemonism, power politics and neo-interventionism as the greatest threats to world peace. For its part, "China, as a large developing country, still faces multiple and complex security threats, as well as increasing external impediments and challenges," the white paper noted.

Beijing has accused some of its neighboring countries of "[taking] provocative actions and [reinforcing] their military presence on China's reefs and islands that they have illegally occupied," as well as "meddling in South China Sea affairs." This part of the Pacific Ocean is a hotly contested stretch of water, with Beijing claiming that most of the area is its own territory.

Among other security concerns, mentioned in the document, are the United States' growing presence in the Asia-Pacific region and Japan's intent on "overhauling its military and security policies."

The paper also mentioned separatist forces, including the East Turkestan Islamic Movement active in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region as a major challenge.

"Besides, anti-China forces have never given up their attempt to instigate a "color revolution" in this country. Consequently, China faces more challenges in terms of national security and social stability," the document said.