The Ministry of Xi Jinping Thought Research Conducts Collective Study of the "Outline for the Study of the Holistic Approach to National Security"
Since the 18th Party Congress [1], the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has planned and deployed national security work from the strategic height of the overall development of the Party and state cause. It has achieved breakthrough progress in the institutional system, working mechanisms, and capacity building, forming a theoretical system of national security with Chinese characteristics for the New Era. The Outline for the Study of the Holistic Approach to National Security comprehensively reflects the important strategic achievements made by the Party and the state in national security work. It is of great significance for scientifically grasping the core content, logical system, and practical requirements of the holistic approach to national security. On the afternoon of September 29, 2022, the Department of Research on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era held its 11th study report session of the year. Researchers Dai Lixing and Shang Wei delivered special reports, conducting a specialized study and discussion on the Outline for the Study of the Holistic Approach to National Security.
Professor Shang Wei shared seven reflections on studying the Outline. First, the holistic approach to national security is the fundamental follow-through and guide to action for national security work in the New Era. It is a major strategic thought proposed to adapt to the evolution of the domestic situation and international relations to guarantee and defend overall national security; it is a powerful ideological weapon guiding national security work in the New Era, an important component of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and a significant theoretical contribution by contemporary China to the world. Second, the holistic approach to national security is profound in thought and rich in connotation. Its core tenets are concentrated in the "Ten Persists": persisting in the Party’s absolute leadership over national security work; persisting in the path of national security with Chinese characteristics; persisting in taking people's security as the purpose; persisting in coordinating development and security; persisting in placing political security in the primary position; persisting in the coordinated promotion of security in all fields; persisting in placing the prevention and resolution of national security risks in a prominent position; persisting in promoting international common security; persisting in promoting the modernization of the national security system and capacity; and persisting in strengthening the ranks of national security cadres. Third, the holistic approach to national security inherits our Party’s theoretical achievements and practical experience in maintaining national security, embodies the heritage of Chinese culture, demonstrates the spirit [2] of the Chinese nation, and maintains the bottom line of resolutely defending national sovereignty, security, and core development interests. Fourth, the holistic approach to national security has driven a historic leap in the theory and practice of national security with Chinese characteristics. By adhering to the holistic approach to national security and following the path of national security with Chinese characteristics, a system of national security institutions with Chinese characteristics has been formed. Fifth, the holistic approach to national security has contributed Chinese solutions to the promotion and improvement of global security governance. It abandons old concepts such as zero-sum games, absolute security, and alliance-based confrontation, and advocates win-win cooperation and common security—that is, advocating a global security concept that is common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable. Sixth, the holistic approach to national security is a Marxist theory of national security, leading the path of national security with Chinese characteristics and coordinating the promotion of security in various fields. Seventh, the holistic approach to national security possesses a strategic consciousness of "staying alert to danger in times of peace" [3]. It scientifically grasps the world’s changes unseen in a century, bravely faces various risks, challenges, and peripheral security issues, and provides protection for the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Professor Dai Lixing focused on elucidating four aspects: the significance of the publication of the Outline, the scientific theoretical system of the holistic approach to national security, its theoretical character, and the fundamental follow-through for maintaining and shaping national security in the New Era. First, adhering to the holistic approach to national security is an urgent need to respond to the national security situation and a practical requirement for improving the strategy of governance. Second, the key to the holistic approach to national security lies in the "holistic" aspect, and its core essence lies in the "Ten Persists." It emphasizes that we must uphold the Party's absolute leadership over national security work, establish a "greater security" concept, integrate national security throughout the entire process of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and pool the strength of the whole society to prevent and resolve national security risks. Third, the holistic approach to national security is the product of combining the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s realities and with the fine traditional Chinese culture. It is a theoretical and practical achievement of the Chinese Communists in defending national sovereignty, security, and development interests. Its content emphasizes holism, its stance reflects a people-centered nature, its thinking is forward-looking, its method highlights systematicity, and its vision demonstrates internationality. Fourth, we must thoroughly implement the holistic approach to national security and unswervingly follow the path of national security with Chinese characteristics.
Chen Zhigang, Director of the Department, affirmed the excellent reports of the two professors. He pointed out that the holistic approach to national security is rich in content and involves many aspects. We must "study it thoroughly, understand it fully, and implement it concretely" [4]. We must deeply recognize the epochal, theoretical, practical, and global significance of the holistic approach to national security, and profoundly understand its core tenets, spiritual essence, rich connotations, practical requirements, and scientific methods. We should strengthen research on major frontier issues and grasp the holistic approach to national security within the context of the theoretical system of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the great achievements and transformations of national security in the New Era, and the new goals and challenges of the new stage of development. This study should be integrated with the study of the "Four Histories" [5]. In the process of maintaining overall national security, one must "put oneself in, put one’s responsibilities in, and put one's work in" [6]. Participating faculty members conducted in-depth discussions and exchanged views on the current international situation and its impact on China's national security.
(Contributor: Liu Yan)