POWERFUL FORCE: Anti-air missile troops pass by the Tiananmen Square in Beijing during the military parade marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 2009 (LIU JIANSHENG)

On April 16, the Chinese Government published a national defense white paper, The Diversified Employment of China's Armed Forces. China's armed forces comprise the People's Liberation Army (PLA), the People's Armed Police Force (PAPF) and the militia.

The white paper, the eighth of its kind issued by the Chinese Government since 1998, elaborates on the strategic thoughts and policy principles for China's armed forces to fulfill their missions, counter various security threats and accomplish diversified military tasks. It highlights the strategic importance and guarantee role of the peacetime employment of the armed forces in maintaining security of national sovereignty and supporting the country's peaceful development. Emphasizing China's pursuit of comprehensive, common and cooperative security, the white paper also introduces the country's experience and contribution in this aspect.

In addition to regular contents concerning China's security situation and the development of its armed forces, the white paper details the policies and principles on the diversified employment of China's armed forces, the regular system of combat readiness of the PLA, as well as the PLA's efforts to safeguard the country's maritime rights and interests, protect overseas interests and safeguard the security of international sea lines of communication.

The PLA also reveals for the first time the actual number of army, navy and air force servicemen, designations of its army combined corps and the main missile lineup, representing remarkable progress toward military transparency.

Since the beginning of the new century, profound and complex changes have taken place in the world. The white paper says that peace and development remain the underlying trends of our times.

Meanwhile, however, the world is still far from being tranquil. There are signs of increasing hegemonism, power politics and neo-interventionism. Regional hot spots are frequently embroiled in turmoil. Competition is intensifying in the international military field. International security issues become increasingly interrelated.

China's modernization achievements have captured world attention. However, the country still faces multiple and complicated security threats and challenges.

Some country has strengthened its Asia-Pacific military alliances, expanded its military presence in the region; and on the issues concerning China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, some neighboring countries are taking actions that complicate or exacerbate the situation.

The threats posed by terrorism, separatism and extremism are on the rise. "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and their activities are still the biggest threat to the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations. Serious natural disasters, security accidents and public health emergencies keep occurring. Factors affecting social harmony and stability are growing in number, and the security risks to China's overseas interests are on the increase. Changes in the form of war from mechanization to informationization are accelerating. Therefore China has an arduous task to safeguard its national unity, territorial integrity and development interests.

Over the years, the PLA has been proactively and steadily pushing forward its reforms in line with the requirements of performing its missions and tasks, and building an informationized military. The PLA has intensified the strategic administration of the Central Military Commission. It established the PLA Department of Strategic Planning.