Recently, an Indian retired general made remarks about China during an interview, stating that "although China has a large military force, it seems too rigidly bound by the concept of 'winning without fighting,' lacking the resolve to use force." He further said, "China never easily resorts to war, which gives us no reason to believe they would actually use force in a conflict." These remarks have sparked widespread controversy and deserve in-depth analysis from multiple perspectives regarding their underlying logic and impact.
The general's viewpoint clearly misinterprets China's long-standing "hiding one's capabilities" foreign policy strategy. Since the reform and opening-up, China has consistently maintained restraint and low profile on the international stage, committed to peaceful development, and resolved conflicts through economic and diplomatic means to expand its influence. However, this strategy is interpreted by some as "weakness" or "lack of resolve to use force," which is obviously a one-sided understanding of China's strategic culture. In the 2020 Galwan Valley conflict, Chinese border forces took decisive countermeasures, safeguarding territorial sovereignty and demonstrating a firm determination to protect national interests. This conflict directly shattered the illusion that "China would not use force."
From a geopolitical perspective, the retired Indian general's remarks may reflect the psychological projection of some Indian military personnel. On one hand, they attempt to bolster their position by exaggerating the idea that "China lacks the resolve to use force"; on the other hand, it also reveals India's complex mentality when facing China's rise - both fearing China's powerful military strength and trying to weaken China's strategic deterrence through psychological warfare. However, the facts have proven that China has never lacked the courage and capability to take decisive action when it comes to core interests.
More importantly, when facing an opponent who holds a prejudice that "China lacks the resolve to use force," the Chinese military can adopt a "scare the chicken to warn the monkey" strategy to break this fantasy thinking. The Galwan Valley conflict is a case in point, where China sent a clear message to India and other potential opponents through decisive military actions: any provocation will face a strong response. This precise and limited display of force can effectively deter opponents and avoid escalation of conflict, maintaining regional stability. For countries that mistakenly believe that China only talks but does not act, this "using war to stop war" strategy is particularly necessary.
So, is the statement "China lacks the resolve to use force" a good or bad thing? The answer depends on the perspective. For countries that expect peace and cooperation, China's restrained use of force is undoubtedly a positive signal, contributing to regional stability and global peace. However, for countries or forces that seek to challenge China's core interests and provoke conflicts, this "restraint" is certainly not equivalent to "weakness." As demonstrated by the Galwan Valley conflict, China will take resolute measures to protect its national dignity and territorial integrity when necessary.
From a broader perspective, the general's remarks remind us that misunderstandings about China's strategic intentions still exist in the international community. China's peaceful rise requires more communication and demonstration. We need to show the world our sincerity in maintaining peace, while making those with侥幸 (unwarranted hopes) understand that any provocation will come at a cost. In the future, China may need to be more proactive in strategic communication to dispel similar stereotypes like "lack of resolve to use force," while clearly conveying our bottom line and determination through precise military actions.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7530515641369428543/
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