This is a speech by General Zhang Qinsheng, Deputy Chief of the PLA General Staff, on 29 July 2011.
Brigadier Yeo See Peng,
Lieutenant General Wiercinski,
Gerenal Ravinder Singh and General Dempsey, Chairmen of the Conference,
Fellow army leaders,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure to be back in the beautiful country of Singapore. I was here 5 years ago to attend the Shangri-la Dialogue at the invitation of the International Institute for Strategic Studies. This last May, during the Land Warfare Conference in London, General Dempsey kindly invited me to attend this year's Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference. Both events are strategically valuable in that they help promote exchanges, mutual trust and joint progress. I would first convey my congratulations on the convening of the conference. Today I would like to share with you my thought on three issues.
I. The Future of Asia Pacific
The history of mankind spans thousands of years. Any strategic vision, therefore, should be based on historical analysis. Over the millennia Asia Pacific has witnessed ups and downs in the endless evolution of human civilization and now stands at a critical juncture. Today, the world is undergoing significant transformation, development and reorientation. As forces rise and fall, ideologies clash and all conflicts crop up, the wisdom and courage of the contemporary strategist is put to the test.
-- The history of Asia Pacific was one of hardships and suffering. For a long time in history, Asia Pacific was in all its glory, leading the evolution of the world civilization. In the modern times, it witnessed clash of civilizations as the oriental agricultural civilization gradually gave way to the thriving industrial civilization. In the brutal battles for resources and markets, most countries in the region were deprived of the opportunity for development, countless millions lost their lives, homes were destroyed and resources consumed. A few countries rose out of the wars, but at great costs. Reflecting on the past two centuries, what we long for more than anything else is a peaceful and prosperous Asia Pacific free from war and turbulence.
-- Asia pacific today is faced with both opportunities and challenges. In the 21st century, with the world paying more and more attention to this dynamic region, an Asia Pacific age is upon us. However, hope comes amid obstacles, and opportunities coexist with challenges. Regional flashpoints are yet to be settled, ethnic and religious conflicts remain acute, and natural disasters, cross-border crime and terrorism are constantly threatening regional peace and security. Moreover, security problems from outside the region may induce more destabilizing factors here. The tide of globalization brings with it all kinds of risks and challenges, both predictable and unpredictable.
--Asia Pacific will have a bright future. In the post-industrial age and the information society, we witness the coexistence, integration and joint progress of different cultures. The zero-sum game is being replaced by win-win cooperation, and a community awareness of shared interest and destiny is growing. Upholding multilateralism and inclusive regionalism, countries are actively engaged in bilateral and multilateral collaboration. Prosperity and progress of the Asia-Pacific region is closely connected with that of the wider world. What links now and the future is the trend of the times. Those who have a strategic vision cast their eyes on the future, place their hope on the future and orient their efforts towards the future. Politicians, strategists and the general public all need to work hard to go along with the trend of the times and ensure regional peace and development. This way, I believe that the Asia Pacific, and the world at large, will have a bright future.
Not long ago, Chinese President Hu Jintao reiterated that "the aim of China's foreign policy is to maintain world peace and promote common development." The development of China was made possible by a relatively peaceful environment in the Asia-Pacific and beyond. In the past 30 years and more, in particular, China has upheld opening up and reform and engaged in friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation with countries around the world. Taking the road of socialism with Chinese characteristics, we realized sound and rapid development. A harmonious Asia Pacific and, more broadly, a harmonious world, is essential for China's peaceful development, the stability and prosperity of all countries in the region, and common development of mankind.
