Necessary guarantee for reform

Among the key reform decisions from The Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the promise to establish a State security committee attracted tremendous attention both at home and overseas.

The decision to set up a Chinese State security committee is part of the push for profound and comprehensive reforms in the coming years. It is an important move for China, as it will improve its national security mechanisms amid rapidly changing internal and external situations, and will promote the modernization and improve the capability of its national governance system. It will be of special significance to China's long-term peace and stability, as well as the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Yu Zhengsheng (3rd L, front), member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and Liu Yunshan (3rd R, front), also member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, attend the third session of the Standing Committee of the 12th National Committee of CPPCC, in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 18, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]

The national security councils or national security committees of other countries are led by State leaders with the involvement of diplomatic, military, intelligence, and domestic security personnel, and they are responsible for the overall planning and coordination of policies concerning major and strategic issues related to national security.

Many countries, including the United States, Russia, India and the United Kingdom, have set up national security bodies according to their own security needs. So China's decision to set up a State security committee is a pragmatic initiative that will enable it to draw on the experiences of others as it seeks to address its own particular security challenges.

The world is entering an era of great changes. The global power balance and global governance mechanisms are all undergoing adjustments and the international hotspot issues are changing. With China's rise as a great power and deepening integration into the international system, as well as opportunities, it faces unprecedented risks. Over the past few years, especially, China's surrounding security situation has changed profoundly, posing a serious challenge to its national security and long-term development. To effectively deal with the complex security environment and protect and develop its national interests, China must embrace a broader perspective and develop stronger capabilities.

Meanwhile, China is now in the deep water zone of reform, with all kinds of economic, political and social problems becoming increasingly prominent simultaneously and lasting for a longer period of time. These will to a certain degree influence China's national security.