China seeks maritime power, no hegemony

China has vowed to build itself into a maritime power, but the country has no intention of pursuing hegemony at sea. The move to develop its maritime power means developing the marine economy, promoting innovation in marine technologies, protecting the marine environment, enhancing capacities to exploit marine resources, and safeguarding maritime rights and interests. In the 21st century, oceans and seas are playing an increasingly important role in safeguarding state sovereignty, national security and development interests, as well as the advancement of China's ecological civilization. Compared with a history when China was exposed to invasion for more than 100 years due to poor defense capabilities at sea, the country's maritime cause has entered the best period of development through decades of efforts. As the world's second-largest economy, China will depend on the ocean to prosper with a harmonious human-ocean relationship and will steadily promote the building of its maritime power through peaceful and mutually beneficial cooperation. Going to the ocean and better managing it is a road that China must walk if it is to realize national rejuvenation. Despite reiteration of a path of peaceful development, however, there remains unease about China's presence at sea, with some fearing that a maritime power always leads to military expansion, as reflected during the rise of world powers in history. Some countries play up a "maritime threat theory" to curb China's pursuit of legitimate rights. Such fears are entirely unnecessary and the remarks are irresponsible as China has always been committed to peace and common development in exploiting and utilizing oceans and seas. With the concept of a "harmonious ocean," the country dispatches naval escort fleets to safeguard the security of commercial vessels. Chinese ship "Peace Ark" has been providing medical services to foreign navies. China also sticks to peaceful settlement of maritime disputes and opposes the wanton use of force or threats in this regard. In contrast, some nations are resorting to their traditional strength at sea to jeopardize peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, while other neighboring countries are taking actions that encroach China's territorial sovereignty and impair its maritime rights and interests. China adheres to the policy of shelving disputes and carrying out joint development of areas over which China owns sovereign rights. It also promotes mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation and seeks common converging interests with other countries. Meanwhile, China will resolutely protect its sovereignty, security and development interests. Chinese marine surveillance ships continue regular patrols in territorial waters surrounding the Diaoyu Islands. China also seeks bilateral negotiations and consultations with the parties directly involved in the disputes over the South China Sea islands. China's determination to safeguard core national interests will never yield to any outside pressure.