Ancient Roots Meet Modern Peacekeeping
In 2019, during his state visit to Greece, President Xi Jinping paused at the Acropolis Museum, gazing at the relief of Athena Promachos (goddess of wisdom and warriors) and recalled an age-old Chinese maxim: “To stop violence is the true meaning of martial virtue.” 📜✌️
The saying traces back to the Zuo Zhuan, an ancient commentary on the Spring and Autumn period. After the State of Chu defeated the State of Jin in 597 BCE, minister Pan Dang wanted to display the spoils to celebrate military glory. King Zhuang replied, “Real military achievement lies in ending war, not waging it.”
The Militarily Ready Path to Peace
Fast forward to today, and that same wisdom drives China’s modern security doctrine: stay strategically clear-sighted about war risks, be ready to fight at any time, but always prioritize peace. As Xi stresses, China will pursue peaceful development without sacrificing core national interests. 🚀
Sun Tzu’s Modern Echo
Sun Tzu’s The Art of War teaches that the highest form of generalship is “to subdue the enemy without fighting.” For millennia, Chinese leaders have warned that loving war leads to downfall—even if a war to end war might be justified. In other words, the power to fight is the power to preserve peace. 🕊️
What This Means for World Peace
By blending age-old maxims with cutting-edge strategy, China’s military aims to be a firm force in maintaining global stability. For tech-savvy young adults across South and Southeast Asia, it’s a reminder that true strength often lies in restraint and readiness. 🌍💪
Reference(s):
How Chinese military becomes a firm force for maintaining world peace
cgtn.com
