Foreword

General Xiong Guangkai, author of this book and former Deputy Chief of General Staff of the PLA, is not only a military diplomat with more than half a century's rich diplomatic experience, but also an academic expert with an in-depth knowledge of international strategy, international relations, international security, and military modernization. In October 2003 and April 2006, Tsinghua University Press published Gen. Xiong's two books,International Strategy and Revolution in Military Affairs and International Situation and Security Strategy. These covered his main thoughts and works from 1997 to 2005, and received wide attention and acclaim from international experts and researchers, and from numerous readers at home and abroad. Gen. Xiong has since continued with his studies and research over the last decade, producing a great number of theoretical papers. Now, with his permission, we have made a selection from his research work over this period and compiled them into this book:International Relations and National Security. Together with the previously published works, this new book forms a series that showcases China's efforts to address the complex evolution of the international strategic landscape over the past two decades, and also bears witness to the tireless efforts of the author, both as a general and a scholar.

The book concentrates on the complex and fluid situation in international relations, with a focus on major international and national security issues as well as considerations of China's corresponding national defense needs and military build-up. The book consists of four parts:

● First, international relations and China's diplomacy;

● Second, the development of security issues and international security cooperation;

● Third, China's security concept and security policy;

● Fourth, historical mission and China's military development.

These parts, which share the same logic while providing both overlapping and contrasting priorities, can be viewed as a relatively integrated whole. During the process of compilation there has been minimal revision to these articles, with the exception of a few minor changes of terminology, reflecting the rigorous style and practical approach the author has always maintained in his strategic studies. The book can also serve to inspire China's international strategic studies at present and in the future.

Thanks to Mr. David Ferguson and Mr. He Jun from China Fareign Languages Publishing Administration for their careful and meticulous review of articles in English during the selecting and editing process, and also to Dr. Ma Qingzhou from Tsinghua University Press for his great assistance.

compiler

May, 2016