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China's National Defense in 2004
Updated: 2004-12-28 09:52
Foreword
A panoramic view of the present-day world displays the simultaneous existence
of both opportunities for and challenges to peace and development, and of
positive and negative factors bearing on security and stability. The
opportunities cannot be shared and the challenges cannot be overcome unless
diverse civilizations, social systems and development models live together
harmoniously, trust each other and engage in cooperation. Hence, the pursuit of
peace, development and cooperation has become an irresistible trend of history.
The development goal for China to strive for in the first two decades of this
century is to build a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way. As a
large developing country, China has before it an arduous task for modernization,
which calls for prolonged and persistent hard work. China will mainly rely on
its own strength for development, and therefore poses no obstacle or threat to
any one. China needs a peaceful international environment for its own
development, which in turn will enhance peace and development in the world.
Holding high the banner of peace, development and cooperation, China adheres to
an independent foreign policy of peace and a national defense policy of the
defensive nature. China will never go for expansion, nor will it ever seek
hegemony.
A major strategic task of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in exercising
state power is to secure a coordinated development of national defense and the
economy, and to build modernized, regularized and revolutionary armed forces to
keep the country safe. The Fourth Plenary Session of the 16th CPC Central
Committee and the Enlarged CPC Conference of the Central Military
Commission(CMC), held successively in September 2004, paid a high tribute
toJiang Zemin for his outstanding contributions to national defense and military
modernization, and appointed Hu Jintao Chairman of the CPC Central Military
Commission. Meanwhile, the CMC composition was also readjusted and expanded, and
the developmental direction for national defense and military modernization
clearly defined. In the new stage of the 21st century, China's national defense
and army building shall be guided by Deng Xiaoping Theory and the important
thought of the "Three Represents," in an all-round way implement Jiang Zemin's
thought on national defense and army building, maintain the fundamental
principle and system of absolute Party leadership over the armed forces, and
take the military strategy of the new era as an overarching guideline to
actively push for the national defense and military modernization.
This White Paper, China's National Defense in 2004, is published to
illustrate China's national defense policies and the progress made in the past
two years in its defense and army building.
Appendix:
Members
of the CMC of the CPC
Leaders
of the Four Headquarters/Departments of the PLA
Major
Military Exchanges with Other Countries (2003-2004)
Participation in Security Consultations
(2003-2004)
Joint
Exercises with Foreign Armed Forces (2003-2004)
Participation in UN Peacekeeping
Operations
Major
Military Regulations Promulgated Since 2003
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