From the Readers

Defend through action

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-09-02 09:25
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Comment on "US military report damages ties" (China Daily, Aug 30)

China should not pay too much attention to reports issued by the United States, including those on its human rights, climate change and military records.

The US has become a very conservative country with many powerful factions within the government. These factions are embedded in civilian as well as military establishments. They are influential in the government, Congress and military but do not necessarily comprise the majority of the American people.

Their voices are heard frequently because they own, control or manipulate the media. What has been published in the China military report reflects the belief of the die-hard conservative minority in the Pentagon and among the high-ranking military officers.

They need to repeat the same old reports year after year to reaffirm their waning belief in outdated conservatism. They just don't know how to change with the changing world and reality.

China can explain or protest against their reports, but it does not have to devote its time and energy doing so. In fact, its reaction will reinforce their conservative beliefs.What China should do if the reports have the potential to damage its reputation or threaten its security is to defend itself through actions such as spending more on people's welfare, education, social security, healthcare to strengthen its capability to defend itself effectively from any ill intention of its foes.

Peaceful, on China Daily website

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