China releases national security white paper about new era strategy

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
12 May 2025 14:47
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China has released a new national security white paper outlining its holistic approach, the Global Security Initiative, and reform-driven modernization.

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The Chinese national flag is seen in front of the country's embassy in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, April 10, 2025 (AP)

China’s State Council Information Office released a comprehensive national security white paper on Monday, outlining the country’s strategic direction and key achievements in safeguarding its sovereignty, development, and reform in the new era.

The white paper aims to clarify China’s evolving security strategy and strengthen international understanding of the country’s approach.

It presents the holistic approach to national security as a guiding principle that integrates political, economic, military, and societal dimensions to protect national interests.

Structure and strategic themes

Structured into six sections aside from a preface and conclusion, the white paper explores key dimensions of China’s national security strategy:

China's role in injecting certainty and stability into global uncertainty;
The holistic security model guiding China’s efforts in the new era;
Support for high-quality development through strong security foundations;
The interplay between development and security in modernization;
Implementation of the Global Security Initiative and promotion of shared global security;
Reform and innovation-driven modernization of China’s national security capacity.

China’s evolving national security doctrine

The document emphasizes the integration of President Xi Jinping's Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era with national security policy. According to the white paper, this is the first time a comprehensive and strategic framework for national security has been formally articulated since the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

In this framework, political security is prioritized as a core task, while the protection of national interests and people's security serve as key objectives. China pledges to maintain territorial integrity, uphold maritime rights and interests, and enhance security in emerging fields such as cyberspace and technology.

Modernization through security, reform

The white paper highlights the connection between Chinese modernization and security, positioning high-level security as essential for high-quality development. It also reaffirms the Communist Party's central role in national security, emphasizing the importance of systematized governance and capacity building through reform and innovation.

China’s national security institutions are encouraged to become more efficient, coordinated, and capable of responding to evolving challenges in a complex global environment.

Advancing the Global Security Initiative

As part of its international outlook, China reiterates its commitment to the Global Security Initiative, advocating for shared global peace through mutual respect, inclusive governance, and equitable cooperation.

The paper notes China’s intention to balance domestic security with global responsibility, promoting a vision of global governance rooted in extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits. It affirms China’s support for true multilateralism and calls for reforms to make the global security governance system more fair and inclusive.