China is a beacon of stability in uncertain times when the world is at a crossroads, facing multiple geopolitical pressure points and conflicts: this is the overarching theme of Beijing’s first white paper on national security. It was released in mid-May with great media fanfare to show the importance China’s leaders give the topic, and is titled “China’s National Security in the New Era”.
According to the white paper, China’s national security situation remains stable – a success credited to the concept of comprehensive national security coined by party and state leader Xi Jinping. The concept was introduced in 2014 and has since grown to encompass 20 areas of security (see exhibit 1). Its study is required at all levels of the party and state administration, and it guides policy choices across the board.
The framework tasks Chinese officials with responding to existing threats, and with proactively identifying and tackling new dangers, using all the tools at their disposal. Its impact was visible in recent suggestions that China might use the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law against companies that enforce US sanctions on Huawei and so could be viewed as threatening China’s economic growth. National security was also referenced in China’s imposition of new rare earth export restrictions.
The white paper showcases the changes that have taken place in Beijing’s conceptualization of national security and in its threat perceptions over the last few years:The international environment is now the source of some of China’s biggest challenges as relations with the United States and other Western nations are deteriorating.
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