Forging a shield for peace: China's defense modernization as a global public good

By Xin Ge

The delegation of the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police Force enters the venue for the preparatory meeting of the third session of the 14th National People's Congress in Beijing, China, March 4, 2025.

In an era of geopolitical turbulence, China's military modernization presents a nuanced approach: strengthening its defense capabilities while maintaining a commitment to peace. This strategy emphasizes advanced technological development alongside measured defense spending, reflecting a balance between security and sustainable growth.

China has developed sophisticated military assets, including the J-20 stealth fighter and the Fujian aircraft carrier, enhancing its defense capabilities. Despite these advancements, China maintains its defense budget at lower than 1.5 percent of its GDP, which is below the global average of approximate 2.3 percent. This calibrated approach reflects a commitment to defense without dominance, proving that security and development need not be mutually exclusive.

On March 7, 2025, Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed the importance of national defense and military modernization while attending a plenary meeting of the delegation of the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police Force at the third session of the 14th National People's Congress.

The medical staff of Chinese hospital ship Peace Ark and their Papua New Guinea counterpart transfer an "injured" person during a joint medical rescue drill in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, July 17, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua]

Defense without dominance

China's defense strategy challenges traditional binaries reminiscent of the Cold War era. Its military modernization is propelled by a pursuit of technological sovereignty rather than territorial expansion. The BeiDou satellite network has served over 200 nations and regions and guided more than 70 percent of smart phones in China, exemplifies this dual-use approach. Furthermore, thousands of declassified defense patents have catalyzed commercial ventures in artificial intelligence and renewable energy, transforming defense innovation into economic drivers. This integration of military and civilian technologies ensures that China's strength is rooted not in sheer force but in sustainable, shared progress.

Financially, China maintains a measured approach to defense spending. In 2023, the official defense budget was approximately $230 billion, accounting for less than 1.5 percent of its GDP. This restraint underscores China's dedication to peaceful development, even as it invests in cutting-edge capabilities like quantum radar and hypersonic missiles.

From blue helmets to blue waters

China's role in international peacekeeping has expanded significantly, redefining norms of military engagement. Since China first sent military observers to the UN Truce Supervision Organization in 1990, China has sent over 50,000 peacekeepers to participate in UN peacekeeping operations (UNPKOs) in more than 20 countries and regions, such as South Sudan and Mali. These "soldier-diplomats" not only maintain peace but also engage in humanitarian efforts, including rebuilding hospitals, vaccinating refugees, and training local forces – a contemporary interpretation of "winning hearts and minds."

In maritime security, China's anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden have safeguarded thousands of vessels since 2008, with a significant portion being foreign-flagged. Additionally, the naval hospital ship Peace Ark has provided free medical care to over 250,000 patients across 43 countries. These missions illustrate China's commitment to utilizing its military power as a global public good, contributing significantly to international peace and security.

The Great Wall of the 21st Century

China's military evolution mirrors its ancient defensive philosophy: building walls not to isolate, but to enable safe passage. This ethos is evident in its proactive global engagement, from evacuating nationals from conflict zones to sharing cutting-edge defense technology for disaster relief and cybersecurity enhancement. Unlike traditional military doctrines centered on dominance, China is exploring a bold alternative: fostering security by making others stakeholders in mutual success.

As the world grapples with climate-induced conflicts and cyber threats, and transnational instability, the true test will be whether China can translate its vision of a "community with a shared future" into actionable policies. Its track record offers early indicators – Chinese engineers building dams to combat water shortages in Pakistan and peacekeeping forces assisting agricultural development in Mali. These initiatives suggest that China's military modernization is not just about defense but about shaping a more interconnected and resilient global order.

In 2025, China set its GDP growth target at 5 percent, as announced during the third session of the 14th National People's Congress. The government aims to stabilize economic growth by boosting domestic demand and creating 12 million new urban jobs. Despite economic challenges, China plans to increase defense spending by 7.2 percent this year, bringing the budget to 1.784665 trillion yuan ($249 billion). This increase aligns with China's goal to modernize its military and assert territorial claims.

China's defense modernization is not just about protecting its borders; it's about contributing to a safer, more stable world. By transforming its military strength into instruments of collective security, China offers a model for 21st-century defense – one that prioritizes peace over power, cooperation over conflict, and shared prosperity over zero-sum competition.

The author isa special commentator on current affairs for CGTN.

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