Think tank chief explains China's security concept

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-03-24 11:04

MOSCOW -- A China's think tank chief on Monday explained to a Russian audience China's security concept, saying that the Chinese military must improve its capability to face traditional and non-traditional threats.

Xiong Guangkai, chairman of the China Institute for International Strategic Studies (CIISS) said that the country's security concept has expanded from safeguarding the territory and its sovereignty, to other issues, which include security in finance, economy, information, energy, food, public hygiene and anti-terrorism.

In a speech at the Russia's Higher School of Economic, Xiong said the fact that traditional security issues such as regional conflicts and nuclear proliferation now intertwine with non-traditional threats such as terrorism and the newly emerging financial and economic crisis, requires the Chinese military to improve its capability to face multiple threats and fulfill all kinds of missions, in order to meet demands for a bigger security role.

Xiong together with a Chinese delegation are in Moscow to attend a two-day seminar, "Russia and China in new international environment", co-chaired by the CIISS and the Russian Council for Foreign and Defense Policy (CFDP), two well-known think tanks in China and Russia.

Participants discussed a wide range of security issues of common concern, including the world's economic and political trends, the situation in Central Asia, and prospects for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) under the global security framework.

As a national, non-governmental institution on global issues, the CIISS keeps in touch with about 100 others from more than 50 countries and regions across the world.