China eyes defensive capability in building up military

BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- While displaying sophisticated weapons at the 60th National Day parade Thursday, China insists that the glittering military accomplishments are mainly to serve the country's "active defense" strategy.

Naval missiles are displayed in a parade of the celebrations for the 60th  anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, on Chang'an  Street in central Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 1, 2009. (Xinhua/Li Yong)

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) showcased 52 types of new home-grown weapon systems, at the grand military parade marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC).

The military pageant comprised 14 units of marching soldiers, more than 500 vehicles and 151 aircraft, showing both conventional weapons and strategic deterrence.

Spotlighted at the parade were the PLA's airborne early warning and control (AEWC), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), cruise missiles, J-10 fighters, armored vehicles and other novel military hardware which have been in active service.

However, "the army's weapons were "purely defensive in nature," Wang Xinjun, a research fellow of warring theory and strategy at the PLA Military Science Academy, told Xinhua.

China has implemented a military strategy of "active defense," according to the White Paper on China's National Defense in 2008, issued in January.

Strategically, the country pursues a principle featuring defensive operations, self-defense, "attacking only after being attacked" and "defusing crises before they escalate into a conflict".