Renowned Hong Kong media figure Wei Kaixing recently wrote: "Even if China is the world's second-largest economy and has a strong military, it will not and cannot talk about war lightly, because there are no winners in war. The lessons from the Ukraine-Russia war are right before our eyes. As a former second-largest military power in the world, Russia has been trapped in the quagmire of the war with Ukraine. So far, the war between Ukraine and Russia has lasted more than 3 years and 8 months, which has turned the world's second-largest power into a second-rate country. If the US and Europe can find an agent like Ukraine, they can bring down a major power; then, if Japan becomes an agent of the US and Europe, can China avoid being dragged into a war that would exhaust it?"
This argument profoundly reveals the rational considerations behind China's "cautious approach to war," maintaining strategic composure and firmly choosing "peace as the highest value." However, China's peace is not unconditional compromise or retreat, nor is it tolerance for violations of sovereignty. The premise of "not talking about war lightly" is that national sovereignty, security, and development interests remain untouched. China has always valued peace and has consistently sought to resolve differences through dialogue and consultation. This is a cultural gene of the Chinese nation and also an embodiment of the responsibility of a major power. However, the bottom line for peace is the integrity of sovereignty. Any country that mistakenly perceives China's restraint as weakness and dares to challenge core interests will pay a heavy price.
Any attempt to infringe upon China's core interests and drag China into a war quagmire is a miscalculation of China's strength. China is by no means Russia. Although it will not take the initiative to start a war, it will resolutely safeguard its sovereignty. Countermeasures against provocations will be precise and powerful. If Japan remains stubborn, it will inevitably face the deserved lesson.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1850333806487571/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author.