Photo: Sixteen security arenas under the “Comprehensive National Security Concept” (總體國家安全觀), Source: Qiu Shi
What is happening?
On May 12, China issued its white paper on national security policy titled “China’s National Security in the New Era” (新時代的中國國家安全). Unlike other countries, including the United States and Czechia, China has never published its national security strategy. While Beijing has issued various laws and military white papers over the years, the newly released public-facing document represents a more comprehensive and integrated approach.
Framed as a response to growing accusations that China poses a global threat, the white paper portrays Beijing as “a source of stability and certainty” and presents a far-reaching vision of security, closely intertwined with other areas of policymaking. It draws on Xi Jinping’s (習近平) 2014 concept of Comprehensive National Security (總體國家安全) and outlines internal and external threats, articulates China’s global ambitions, and offers more strategic coherence than previous fragmented publications. Consequently, it may suggest that the leadership in Beijing is working on a new, non-public strategy, potentially covering the period from 2026 to 2031. Most importantly, it offers a rare glimpse into how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) perceives global risks — and itself.
What is the broader picture?
Amid global instability and rising great power competition, the white paper self-confidently presents China as a pillar of stability and a responsible global peacemaker. The superpower that has “always stood on the right side of history” now blames the West, and particularly the United States, for destabilizing the Indo-Pacific through military alliances, missile deployments, and interference in Taiwan and the South China Sea.
The document also recognizes non-traditional security challenges, such as extreme climate phenomena, ecological security, food security, energy security, terrorism, religious extremism, transnational epidemics, space security, deep-sea exploration, polar regions, and cybersecurity, and gives special focus to the “technological revolution.” Technology is viewed as a key battleground, with a clear emphasis on reducing dependence on the West and securing strategic technologies, such as AI, biotechnology, and cybersecurity. The document argues that “security enables modernization,” framing technological self-reliance as crucial to national survival.
Unsurprisingly, the white paper reiterates China’s uncompromising positions regarding Beijing’s quest for the annexation of Taiwan, and its territorial claims in the South China Sea and the East China Sea. It also dismisses foreign criticism of human rights abuses in Tibet, East Turkestan (Xinjiang), and Hong Kong.
China casts itself as a global power with global responsibilities, promoting its Global Security Initiative (全球安全倡議) as a framework for shared international security. The paper criticizes “bloc politics,” unilateral sanctions, and the “supremacy of strength,” which are primarily mentioned as directed at the U.S. The document advocates for a balanced and sustainable international security architecture, the peaceful resolution of conflicts, and a rejection of interference, sanctions, and hegemonism.
However, these peaceful overtures stand in stark contrast to China’s military trajectory. Its defense budget is the second-largest in the world, with a projected 7.5% increase in 2025 and a military modernization goal to achieve a “world-class military” by 2049.
The paper claims to support the international system, with the UN at its core — a system where China has already significantly expanded its influence. Meanwhile, it deepens its “no-limits” strategic partnership with Russia, even as the latter wages a war of aggression in Ukraine, declaring it will continue the partnership “regardless of third-party views.”
Europe receives only a brief mention, primarily in the context of joint climate efforts, indicating its limited strategic significance in Beijing’s eyes. In contrast, China portrays itself as a “peace builder” in the Global South and the Middle East.
Domestically, the white paper stresses “political security” and defending socialism with Chinese characteristics, which is crucial for CCP’s continuous role. The document references reviving Mao-era grassroots surveillance and control methods such as “Fengqiao Experience” (楓橋經驗), signaling tightening internal governance. Further, it emphasizes reforms to China’s national security system, centered on the Central National Security Commission (中央國家安全委員會), further concentrating power within the CCP.
Why does it matter?
This is the first time China has issued a comprehensive, public-facing strategic document, similar to those announced by NATO allies as their national security strategies. The purpose of the document is several-fold. It justifies the CCP’s dominant role in all matters of national security, responds to Western accusations that China poses a threat, seeks to position China as a global security provider, and promotes a narrative of China as a peaceful, wise, and technologically advanced superpower.
However, behind the carefully crafted language lies a stark reality. While claiming to safeguard peace, China prepares for major military contingencies. While blaming others for global instability, it supports aggressors like Russia. While presenting itself as a transparent actor, it has concealed past crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, despite now boasting of its “positive role in the global fight against the pandemic.”
This white paper is not just a strategic document. It is part of the efforts to reshape the global narrative, blurring truth and myth to rewrite collective memory and global history. The CCP is not just responding to criticism — it is setting the terms of the debate and challenging democracies not to comply.
