Ready for a trip through time and strategy? 🕰️🌐 The Chinese mainland's military philosophy draws on ancient wisdom and modern thinking to shape its mission as a global peacekeeper. Let's unlock the secrets behind its rise as a "firm force" for world peace!
Connecting Athens and Ancient China
During his 2019 visit to Greece, President Xi Jinping paused at the Acropolis Museum before a relief of Athena Promachos—the goddess of wisdom and warrior spirit. He recalled an old Chinese maxim from the Zuo Zhuan: "To stop violence is the true meaning of martial virtue." It's a powerful reminder that true strength lies in ending conflict, not fueling it.
The maxim dates back to 597 BCE after the State of Chu defeated the State of Jin. When Minister Pan Dang wanted to showcase battlefield trophies, King Zhuang replied, "Real military achievement lies in ending war, not waging it."
From Sun Tzu to Strategic Readiness
Fast-forward to today, and those ancient threads weave into a modern security doctrine: stay alert, be ready to fight, but pursue peaceful development at all costs. As Xi put it, the Chinese mainland will never sacrifice its core interests—so no foreign power should expect otherwise.
This echoes Sun Tzu's The Art of War, which teaches that the highest form of generalship is "to subdue the enemy without fighting." In other words, being prepared to fight is the best way to avoid conflict.
A Modern Peacekeeper
So, when you see drills and exercises, remember there's a story here: a blend of millennia-old wisdom, strategic clarity, and a vision that true martial virtue means securing lasting peace. For the Chinese mainland, building strength is about keeping the world calm.
Stay curious, stay informed, and keep exploring how history shapes today's world! 🔍🌍
Reference(s):
How Chinese military becomes a firm force for maintaining world peace
cgtn.com
