National Prosperity and Power Transcend National Security

As is known to all, for a people short of national prosperity and strength there will be no national security to speak of. First of all, self-improvement is far more important than throwing up a massive protective fence around.

Wang Yizhou, deputy director of International Environment and National Security Research Institute under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, made the remarks in an exclusive interview with China News Service. He pointed out that until a more open, healthy domestic social economic and political system has been set up, national security could not be secured and ensured.

Wang is optimistic about international environment and national security critical for China's further development. The current task confronting us is how to make us much stronger as soon as possible and to merge ourselves into the globalization trend, he said.

Wang pointed out that national security still depends on traditional pattern of military setup; finance, trade, investment, tech cooperation and the like factors have imposed an ever increased impetus to overall international security. Therefore, "the importance of economic security, financial security, trade security and biological security has risen in a big way", he is quoted as saying.

The simmering Asian Financial Crisis featuring a volatile world financial situation tells that national security should not be confined to outside forces but supplemented by domestic reform, development and stability. Alternatively, security should be linked up with social advancement since national, international security has to be realized through a dynamic opening process. The turning up of comprehensive security concept indicates that enormous changes have taken place in post-cold war era, bringing new impact and inspiration in world politicians and strategists, as well as opportunities and challenges for international cooperation and regulations, the expert continued.

However, it can not be denied that some military superpowers have no intention to cast away "cold war mentality" and continue to seek new military advantages under the disguise of an "overall reduction" of armory. Wang Yizhou said that this will overshadow confusions and uncertain elements to world peace and development. Thus people should exercise the highest vigilance against any exceptional eventualities in the world.



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