Building a Great Wall of Steel for National Defense: Lessons from China for Ecuador
China's President Xi Jinping has called on his armed forces to build a "great wall of steel" to safeguard national sovereignty and security in his recent speech at the opening session of the National People's Congress (NPC) after his re-election with an extended mandate. Xi's vision for a strong, modern, and combat-ready military reflects his ambitious agenda for China's rejuvenation as a global power and his firm stance on territorial disputes and strategic rivalry with the United States. Xi's call to modernize and strengthen the armed forces also resonates with China's rising military expenditure and technological innovation that aims to narrow the gap with the dominant military powers in the world.
For many small and developing countries like Ecuador, China's military modernization may seem irrelevant or even intimidating, given the differences in size, wealth, and geopolitical influence. However, there are some lessons that Ecuador can learn from China's experience in building a great wall of steel for national defense that may be useful for its own security challenges and aspirations. In this blog, we will explore some of these lessons and their implications for Ecuador's defense policy and strategy.
The first lesson is the importance of strategic vision and leadership in shaping a coherent and realistic defense posture. President Xi's military reforms and modernization efforts have been based on a comprehensive assessment of China's external and internal security environment, as well as its military weaknesses and strengths. Xi's vision of a powerful and disciplined military has been supported by a new national security strategy that emphasizes "comprehensive security" and "active defense", which means China will not hesitate to use military force to protect its vital interests and respond to threats from any direction. Ecuador also needs a clear and concise defense policy that reflects its national interests, values, and challenges, and that defines its military capabilities and objectives in a realistic and effective way.
The second lesson is the importance of innovation and adaptation to cope with new and complex security threats and challenges. China has invested heavily in developing advanced military technology, such as missiles, drones, stealth fighters, and aircraft carriers, to enhance its deterrence and power projection capabilities. China has also adopted new concepts and doctrines, such as information warfare, joint operations, and civil-military integration, to optimize its military effectiveness and efficiency. Ecuador should also seek to improve its defense innovation and adaptation capacity through strategic partnerships, technology transfer, and human capital development, as well as by exploring new defense domains, such as cyber, space, and maritime.
The third lesson is the importance of regional and global cooperation in promoting a stable and prosperous security environment. China has actively engaged in regional and global security forums, such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), and the UN peacekeeping missions, to enhance its security cooperation and dialogue with neighboring countries and other major powers. China has also offered its military aid and assistance to other countries, such as Pakistan, Myanmar, and Cambodia, to enhance their capacity and leverage their strategic ties. Ecuador should also seek to strengthen its regional and global security cooperation, such as through the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), and the UN peacekeeping missions, to address common security challenges and enhance its international presence and influence.
The fourth lesson is the importance of balancing defense with development, social welfare, and human rights. China has faced some criticism and challenges in promoting its military modernization and assertiveness, especially in the context of its domestic human rights and democracy issues, its regional territorial disputes, and its global economic and political influence. China's great wall of steel must be complemented by a great wall of social development and progress, as well as a great wall of global governance and cooperation, that take into account the diverse needs and interests of its citizens, its neighbors, and the world. Ecuador should also seek to balance its defense priorities with its development objectives, human rights commitments, and regional and global responsibilities, to ensure that its great wall of security is also a great wall of prosperity and dignity.
Therefore, Ecuador can learn from China's experience in building a great wall of steel for national defense, by adopting a strategic vision and leadership, improving its innovation and adaptation capacity, strengthening its regional and global cooperation, and balancing its defense priorities with its development objectives and human rights commitments. Ecuador can also benefit from China's support and partnership in enhancing its defense capabilities, as well as from other countries and organizations that share its vision of stability, security, and progress. A great wall of security can be built not only with steel and weapons, but also with knowledge and wisdom, and with shared values and aspirations.