China's New Conception Of National Security And Peaceful Rise

The rise and fall of great powers is the popular topic people are interested in. The rise of China as a great power draws much attention from many countries all over the world. But it also brings a lot of concern to the international society. According to the traditional conception of national security, the rise of great powers always leads to expansion and the wars for seeking hegemony, and also the fierce competition for security. As a result, the peaceful rise is impossible. However, the conduct of U.S. and U.K. after their rise proved that great powers do not necessarily seek hegemony after their rise. Their conduct is determined by many factors including intention, policy of a country, social system, concepts of value, etc.. As the cornerstone of a country's policy of security, the conception of national security has decisive influence on its conduct. After the cold war, the world has undergone profound changes. Peace and development are the main topics of the time. Globalization and integration of the world economy lead to closer interdependence among nations. There are a lot of common, comprehensive interests of security and development. China's new conception of national security was put forward under this international background. It advocates the spirit of mutual benefit, mutual trust, equality and cooperation. China develops relations with other countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and resolves international disputes through peaceful way, maintaining its own security and other's through the way of mutual benefit and cooperation. The successful practice of China's new conception of national security has proved the possibility of peaceful rise of China and also offered a reliable assurance to the realization of peaceful rise.The thesis is mainly divided into four parts. The first part criticizes the wrong viewpoints of traditional conception of national security approved by the aggressive realists and proves the possibility of peaceful rise. Then it points out the background of China's new conception of national security and compares the main viewpoints of the China's new conception of national security and that of the old one.The second part reviews the evolution of China's conception of national security. The three leaders of CPC made great contribution to the new one. Although in different times the contents of the conception of national security are different, the love for peace,the abhorrence of hegemony, self-reliance and defensive national defense are the common characteristics of China's conception of national security.The third part analyzes the content and characteristics of China's new conception of national security and explains why the rise of China brings peace to the world, rather than threat. Then it points out five principles that can assure the realization of China's peaceful rise.The last part shows the successful practice of China's new conception of national security, thus proves that peaceful rise of China is possible and that China's new conception of national security will assure the realization of peaceful rise.At the end of the thesis, the positive appraisals given by the leaders of U.S., U.K. and Australia to the achievements result from peaceful rise also proved that the rise of China brings contribution and opportunities to other countries, rather than threats. The pattern of its development is gaining more and more recognition and appreciation from other countries. Under the guidance of China's new conception of national security the all-round rise of China will come into reality in the future.