China's national security strategy

The end of the Cold War ushered in a new international order, which influenced the creation of new approaches to international security, especially the multisectoral approach (political, economic, societal, environmental and military). The end of the bipolar conflict brought a new dynamic to Asia, where countries could pursue their policies in their own national interests. In the 1990s, China embarked on a policy of national and regional security. The term "New Security Concept" was coined with the aim of reviving the centuries-old Chinese values of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and co-operation/co-ordination. At the same time, this term formulates the ideal of "peaceful rise" to demonstrate to other countries that Chinese economic expansion will not be a form of imperialism. China's security strategy in the 21st century is characterised by a series of challenges in the face of the great expansion of Chinese economic power. In this sense, international security is a priority issue for the Chinese state, mainly because of the territorial disputes in the South China Sea and the East China Sea.