China rolls out military roadmap of "active defence" strategy

China issued its first white paper on military strategy on Tuesday, stressing the "active defence" guideline and pledging closer international security cooperation.

The strategy adheres to the unity of strategic defense and operational and tactical offense, according to the white paper "China's Military Strategy" issued by the State Council Information Office, reports Xinhua.

"We will not attack unless we are attacked, but we will surely counterattack if attacked," the paper says.

In line with the evolving form of war and national security situation, the basic point for preparation for military struggle of China's armed forces will be placed on "winning informationised local wars," according to the paper.

The armed forces will strengthen international security cooperation in areas crucially related to China's overseas interests, the paper says.

The paper highlights four "critical security domains", including the ocean, the outer space, cyberspace and nuclear force.

The PLA Navy will gradually shift its focus from the sole strategy of "offshore waters defence" to the combined one of "offshore waters defence" and "open seas protection", the paper says.

The country would speed up the development of a cyber force to tackle "grave security threats" to its cyber infrastructure, it says.

It opposes weaponisation of and arms race in outer space and vows to secure its space assets.

The country will never enter into a nuclear arms race with any other country, according to the paper.

China also pledges to provide more public security goods and contribute more to world peace.