The national security law adopted by China will not pose a threat to others, but safeguard stability and development in the country and region as a whole.
As China marked its first national security education day Friday, the paramount importance of national security again came into focus in the country.
Under the National Security Law passed in July 2015 by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislative body, a day of national security education falls on April 15 of each year to enhance people's national security awareness.
In an instruction issued ahead of the national security education day, Chinese President Xi Jinping said the whole society should be mobilized to safeguard national security, consolidate the social basis for national security, and prevent and defuse security risks.
The National Security Law, which is vital for countering emerging threats at home and abroad, covers a wide spectrum of areas including defense, finance, science and technology, culture and religion.
Outer space activities and assets, as well as those at ocean depths and in polar regions, were also brought under the national security umbrella.
Therefore, some Western nations have expressed concern that the law, which they said defined the meaning of national security extremely broadly, would threaten the security of other countries, especially China's neighbors.
As a matter fact, it is common practice among countries to enact laws on national security.
In July 2010, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security launched a nationwide campaign to raise awareness in precautions against terrorism and gather public support for the government's security measures.
Norway also started an annual month-long education event on cybersecurity in 2011, in a bid to allow its citizens to learn more about the security risk facing them.
As a matter of fact, security has always been a top issue in China.
In 2013, a National Security Commission headed by Xi was established. An overall national security outlook put forward by the Chinese president was also incorporated in the National Security Law.
In contrast to some Western nations' notion that the definition was "too broad," the law is based on China's national conditions, follows the basic principles of international law, and draws from good experience and common practice of other countries.
It sets out express provisions regarding the guiding notions, leadership system, basic principles, major tasks, and safeguard measures of China's security initiatives, thus laying a solid legal foundation for accelerating the establishment of a national security system and taking a distinctly Chinese approach to national security.
Furthermore, the law is also expected to play a positive role in solving territorial, cybersecurity and other disputes with other countries.
Just as President Xi put it, national security is of paramount importance for the people to live and work in peace and for realizing the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation.
Under the new circumstances, China is facing severe challenges in national security.
When it comes to protect the national core interests and ensure security and stability, any government will stand firm and not leave any room for disputes, compromises and interference. And China is no exception.
