September 2015 15/2015
Elina Sinkkonen Senior Research Fellow The Finnish Institute of International Affairs
Parading for peace? China’s military parade targets both domestic and foreign audiences
China held a military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. By showcasing the country’s military strength, the ruling Communist Party wants to emphasise its leadership, increase national unity and send a message to Japan and the US that China is able to safeguard its national interests by military means.
Under Xi Jinping’s leadership, China the possibility to showcase China’s Party’s image as China’s saviour in has adopted a more assertive foreign military strength to both foreign and the fight against foreign enemies. policy position, initiated new major domestic audiences. For President Xi, The narrative of theCCP ’s leadership economic institutions, as well as the timing of the anniversary was a in the war against Japan plays an continued to modernise its military. convenient opportunity to increase important role in the CCP’s legiti- China claims to be rising peacefully domestic support for the Party macy, clearly highlighted in naming but its military build-up, changing by emphasising China’s strength the event a commemoration of the maritime policies and disputes in the despite recent economic problems, “Chinese People’s Resistance against East and South China Seas detract as well as signalling to Japan and Japanese Aggression and World Anti- from the credibility of this peaceful the US that China has the capacity Fascist War”. Hence, September 3 development. For example, a week to safeguard its national interests by was designated a national holiday before the parade, China’s navy military means if necessary. this year. mounted a military exercise in the The equipment showcased According to official Chinese East China Sea involving over 100 during the parade manifests China’s sources, however, Japanese and warships. rapid military modernisation. While Western media politicised the The foreign policy terminology China’s share of defence expenditure commemorative event. China claims of Xi Jinping’s regime manifests as a percentage of GDP remained that the parade was held to com- changes in China’s national self- around 2 per cent in 2014, according memorate the end of World War II understanding and indicates that the to the latest figures issued by the in China and its purpose was not to country is starting to see itself as a Stockholm Peace Research Institute, intimidate any country by showcas- great power. Military modernisation military spending is growing at ing China’s military might, nor to is part of China’s new more promi- double-digit percentages. address problems in Sino-Japanese nent international posture and serves Moreover, China’s domestic relations. When holding the parade multiple functions from the perspec- military technologies continue to was announced in January 2015, tive of the Chinese Communist Party develop and improve the capacity Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua (CCP). A strong army is a tangible of the Chinese military to meet its Chunying emphasised that it would expression of international status. strategic needs, especially in neigh- be held “to safeguard world peace”. In recent years, China has held bouring areas. Among others, these The same message was repeated in military parades every ten years technologies include different types Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Ming’s only in the context of celebrat- of anti-ship missiles. According to special press conference on August ing the founding of the People’s multiple researchers, China’s anti- 25. Republic. The military parade held access area denial capabilities may This message was not well on September 3rd to commemorate soon credibly challenge US opera- received internationally, but the 70th anniversary of the end tions near Chinese shores. nevertheless the parade and related of World War II was an exception, The key message to the domestic commemoration ceremonies of- which offered the Chinese leadership audience was a strengthening of the fered a way to emphasise political 2
Finnish Institute of connections. In total, China invited International Affairs participants from 50 countries, and Kruunuvuorenkatu 4 the politics of attending the event POB 400 shows which countries have closest 00161 Helsinki relations with China. Russian President Vladimir Putin Telephone and leaders from other member +358 (0)9 432 7000 states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation announced their Fax participation weeks beforehand. +358 (0)9 432 7799 The participation of South Korea’s President Park Geun-hye to 70th www.f iia.f i anniversary ceremonies was perhaps the biggest surprise on the list of otherwise predictable names. Western countries kept the rank of official participants lower and theUS , for example, sent its ambassador to China to attend the event. The style and content of China’s messages explains why so few Western leaders decided to attend. Although Chinese losses in World War II were massive, with over 14 million deaths, the issue of China’s sacrifice in the war was overshad- owed by the style of the commemo- The Finnish Institute of International Affairs is an ration with its openly anti-Japanese independent research institute that produces high-level research to support political decision-making and military parade. Indeed, holding the public debate both nationally and internationally. parade seemed more like an exercise in reinforcing existing rivalries than All manuscripts are reviewed by at least two other a demonstration of willingness for experts in the field to ensure the high quality reconciliation. of the publications. In addition, publications undergo professional language checking and editing. The responsibility for the views expressed ultimately rests with the authors.