China's Defensive Strategic Culture And Its Embodiment In The National Strategy Since The 18th CPC National Congress

Strategic culture refers to a complex of relatively stable values and behavioral preferences shared by members of the decision-making system of national strategy.The strategic culture of a country is derived from the mainstream culture related to the national strategy.Restricted by the geopolitical environment of a nation,its social,cultural and political factors,the strategic culture is being gradually internalized as an intervention variable of a country's strategy by members of the decision-making system in the long-term historical practices.The far-reaching Chinese strategic culture has formed a distinct oriental trait in the long-term historical practice.Chinese strategic culture comes from "Guihe" and "Rouwu",two kinds of traditional cultures in Chinese history.The former pursues harmony and stability,being good at mitigating conflicts and emphasizing governing by morality.While the essence of the latter is called "prudence in war","termination of war" and "war in virtue",advocating the use of wisdom,and attaching importance to the accumulation of power.Both of the two terms emphasize the importance of defense rather than attack.China's geo-environment is characterized as diverse surrounding environment,single agricultural production,and conservative natural economy;China's social culture lacks of religious belief,while the unity of nature and humanity,and the doctrine of the mean are highly advocated;speaking of the political culture,the complex bureaucracy and large state area are two leading feathers.Besides,the concept of “Tian Xia” is also deeply rooted in its politics.Due to the objective factors mentioned above,some offensive claims of "Rouwu" culture even have no realistic foundations.Therefore,subjecting to objective factors,Chines strategic culture absorbed the rational essence of "Guihe" culture and "Rouwu" culture,embodied as a defensive strategic culture,which is featured as “harmony concept”,“both morality and strength” and “Tian Xia world view” three traits.Since the 18 th CPC National Congress,socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered into a new era;the major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics is gradually in shape;and China's national strength has made a qualitative leap.Under the background of China's peaceful rise paralleled with the transformation of the international system,China must shoulder more international responsibilities in addition to greater opportunities and challenges.China is much closer to the center of the world than ever before,and it is much more eager to a peaceful and stable international environment than ever before.Therefore,China's defensive strategic culture is reflected in every aspect of its current national strategy,among which the most vivid manifestations are the “new-type national relations”,the “Belt and Road” Initiative and “a community with shared future for mankind”.These three strategies have provided the world with Chinese wisdom and a Chinese approach respectively from the aspects of inter-state relations,regional governance,the global governance and the future of international order.These practices are not only grand thoughts based on national strategy,also are effective replies to its strategic culture.What's more,they are the new attempts and explorations China has made to push the international order into a more rational direction.