Opinion     

Military transparency on parade

China.org.cn, September 6, 2015

• Sustainable upgrading of technologies. It is a common practice and developmental trend of world defense industries to upgrade the performance of existing platforms. F-16s have been upgraded to the four types of F-16A, F-16B, F-16C, and F-16D. Through a major improvement of avionics devices and a minor change of structure, the third-generation aircraft have been upgraded to the 3.5-generation. In the same vein, J-10B is an upgrade of J-10A, greatly improving the operational performance of the J-10 series. The series of HQ-9 and Dongfeng missiles are similarly upgrading to improve their tactical and technical performances.

  However, China's enhanced transparency also lends an excuse for some to sensationalize the "China Threat". In fact, China has reiterated that it is an internationally accepted practice to showcase advanced weapons and equipment in a parade, it is a reflection of the level of military modernization, it is a delivery of a positive energy that China will maintain world peace together with the peoples of the world, and it is not directed against any other country. The message it wants to pass: Like the other countries and peoples that participated in the World Anti-Fascist War, China and Chinese people cherish very much the victory of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

  The participation of Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, in China's commemorative activities also shows the world's mainstream perception of the victory. Its historic significance has a particular meaning to China. Without that history, China would have no opportunity to display those self-developed weapons and equipment. Some would comment that the parade of the weapons and equipment is showing off "muscles". As a matter of fact, there is still a large gap between China's weapons and equipment and those of developed countries such as the United States. There is plenty of room to improve, and it is not worthwhile or necessary for China to show off. It not only commemorates the victory, but also demonstrates China's confidence and determination to maintain the victorious achievements and the peace for the world.

  Ma Jun is a Research Fellow of the Department of Foreign Military Studies and Specially Invited Researcher for the Center on China-America Defense Relations at the PLA Academy of Military Science.

  This article was first published at Chinausfocus.com To see the original version please visit http://www.chinausfocus.com/peace-security/military-transparency-on-parade/

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