It is reasonable that China should become a maritime power. In the face of groundless criticism, China will remain confident enough to transfer its strategic will to action.

Since China launched its strategy to become a maritime power, it has been criticized for a "unilateral attempt to change the status quo in maritime disputes", and labeled a "bully" and a "provocateur".

China's aspirations to become a sea power are perfectly reasonable. In its past as a traditional land power, China suffered invasion by the great powers from the sea. China remembers that period of history only too well, and it will spare no efforts to avoid any repetition by enhancing its maritime strategy. As a major international power, China needs to improve its ability to explore and manage the sea. Utilizing maritime resources to benefit modernization is a long term project. Building its sea power is clearly a reasonable step.

China's intention is to become a sea power peacefully, and to help to maintain order and peace on the oceans. Alfred Thayer Mahan, a United States Navy admiral and historian, came up with the influential concept of "sea power" claiming that "countries with greater naval power will have greater worldwide impact". History backs up his view, as The Netherlands, Spain and Britain were Europe's leading powers, their positions reinforced by sea power. But history also proves that the success of such countries was transient if they used their power to further exapnsionist strategies.

In the process of building China's sea power, maritime disputes are inevitable. Such disputes concern the core interests of China, including sovereignty, and directly affect national security and sustainable economic development. China is determined to resolve these disputes via negotiations with the other parties involved, maintaining regional peace and stability. Although confronted by a series of complex situations, China is well prepared to defend its legal rights on such matters as the Diaoyu Islands, the Huangyan Islands, and the Ren'ai Reef, and to return offshore oil drilling vessel 981 to service off the coast of Hainan island.

The ocean facilitates voyage and connection, making sea exploration more open and accessible than land development. Therefore, it needs win-win cooperation between countries to explore the sea. China depends on both individual efforts and cooperation with others in the process of building its sea power.

As a newcomer to the seas, modern China enhances international exchanges and theoretical research on the frontiers of sea science, and takes an active part in international maritime affairs.

The article is edited and translated from《中国，扎实推进海洋强国建设（钟声）》, source: People's Daily