Recently, at the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing, Senior Colonel Hou Angyu of the Chinese Academy of Sciences put forward the idea of "prudent warfare", which has aroused widespread attention and controversy at home and abroad. Some people believe that Senior Colonel Hou's idea of "prudent warfare" is a profound reflection on the duties and strategic decision-making of military personnel, a responsible attitude towards peace and security, and the inheritance and development of Sun Tzu's Art of WarSome people believe that Senior Colonel Hou's idea of "prudent warfare" weakens the soldiers' bloody nature and will to fight, compromises national interests and national dignity, and panders to and submits to Western values. In this controversy over "prudent warfare," I support Senior Colonel Hou Angyu's viewpoint, holding that her idea of "prudent warfare" conforms to the trend of the times and the international situation, and is conducive to safeguarding the country's peaceful development and world harmony and stability.
In his speech at the Xiangshan Forum, Senior Colonel Hou Angyu mainly expounded the three principles of the idea of "prudent warfare", namely:
First, it is necessary to avoid unnecessary fighting, try our best to resolve international disputes through political, diplomatic, economic and other means, refrain from resorting to force, and focus on deterrence, supplemented by attack.
Second, it is necessary to ensure that there is enough chance of victory before attacking, know the opponent and know oneself, win every battle, and do not fight uncertain battles, unprofitable battles, and unrighteous wars.
Third, it is emphasized that when necessary, it is necessary to strike with the momentum of a thunderbolt, and if it does not send troops, it will be won, and if it does not drag its feet, it will not leave any troubles, and the outcome of a war will be decided.
Senior Colonel Hou Angyu emphasized that "prudent war" does not mean fearing war, fearing war, or not daring to war, but is the embodiment of wisdom in safeguarding peace, a rational understanding and prudent grasp of war, and a high degree of responsibility for national interests and the destiny of the nation.
Senior Colonel Hou Angyu's idea of "prudent warfare" has both historical basis and practical value.
Historically, China has been a peace-loving country that has never taken the initiative to provoke war or invade other countries. China's traditional military thinking, represented by Sun Tzu's Art of War, advocates "going to the army to attack and plotting, then attacking the enemy, and then attacking the city", "the soldier who surrenders without a fight", and "the soldier, the major affairs of the country, the place of death and life, and the way of survival, must not be overlooked". All these ideas embody a cautious attitude toward war, a cherished feeling for peace, and a concept of respect for life. Senior Colonel Hou Angyu's idea of "prudent warfare" is precisely the inheritance and development of these traditional military ideas and the respect and promotion of Chinese culture.
In reality, the world is undergoing major changes unseen in a century, the international situation is complex and changeable, various contradictions and conflicts are emerging one after another, the risk and cost of war are getting higher and higher, and the demand and value of peace are getting stronger and stronger. Against this background, Senior Colonel Hou Angyu's idea of "prudent warfare" conforms to the trend of the times and international laws, is conducive to maintaining national peace and development, world harmony and stability, promoting the progress and win-win situation of human civilization, and protecting the survival and well-being of mankind.
Although Senior Colonel Hou Angyu's idea of "prudent warfare" has been recognized and appreciated by many people, it has also been opposed and questioned by some people. There are mainly the following sounds:
Objection 1: It is believed that Senior Colonel Hou's idea of "prudent war" is a weakening of the soldiers' bloody nature and will to fight, a compromise of national interests and national dignity, and a pandering to and submission to Western values. These people believe that the duty of a soldier is to obey the party's command, obey orders, not be afraid of sacrifice, dare to fight and win, and should not hesitate, retreat and fear in the face of war, otherwise they will be disloyal and unjust, and will not love the country and the party. These people also believe that China is now facing encirclement and suppression by the West, and must resolutely defend its national interests and national dignity, must not bow to Western hegemonism and double standards, and must not allow Western values such as human rights, democracy, and freedom to erode China's socialist system and core interests.
Objection 2: They believe that Senior Colonel Hou's idea of "prudent warfare" is an idealization and beautification of war, an unrealistic and unreliable war, and an irresponsible and unfulfilled war. These people believe that war is inevitable, a historical necessity, the choice of the state, and the destiny of the nation. War is cruel, ruthless, uncontrollable, uncontrollable. In war, there is no deterrence, negotiation, cooperation, and win-win results, only the strong, the victors, the aggressors, and the predators. In war, there are no odds of victory, no interests, no righteousness, no morality, only survival, death, victory, and defeat. In war, there is no such thing as prudence, prudence, prudence, or prudence, only bravery, decisiveness, resoluteness, and decisive battles.
Supporting voices: It is believed that Senior Colonel Hou's idea of "prudent warfare" is a profound reflection on the responsibilities and strategic decision-making of soldiers, a responsible attitude towards peace and security, and an inheritance of Sun Tzu's Art of War, but it is not simply copied or copied.
Senior Colonel Hou Angyu's idea of "prudent warfare" has sparked extensive discussions in all circles of society, with some people agreeing with his viewpoint and believing that he is a military expert with strategic vision and international vision, while others oppose his viewpoint and believe that he is a military scholar suffering from peace disease and an ostrich mentality. However, whether we are in favor or against, we cannot deny that his idea of "prudent warfare" has certain theoretical value and practical significance, and it is worthy of our in-depth study and study.
First of all, we must clearly define the connotation and extension of the idea of "prudent warfare." Senior Colonel Hou Anyu's idea of "prudent warfare" put forward at the Xiangshan Forum is mainly divided into three points: First, when handling conflicts, it is necessary to judge the hour and size up the situation, weigh the pros and cons, not resort to force lightly, and give priority to deterrence, supplemented by attack. Secondly, it is necessary to make sure that there is enough chance of winning before attacking, knowing each other and knowing oneself, and winning all battles. Finally, it is emphasized that if necessary, it will attack with the momentum of thunder, and if it does not send troops, it will be won. Senior Colonel Hou Angyu emphasized that "prudent war" does not mean fear of war, fear of war, and dare not fight, but is the embodiment of wisdom in maintaining peace. From these three points, it can be seen that the idea of "prudent warfare" is an attitude and method toward war, a concept of acting cautiously in war, not sending troops rashly, and not wasting food because of choking, and an art and strategy for winning in war.
Second, we should analyze the theoretical basis and practical background of the idea of "prudent warfare." Senior Colonel Hou Angyu's idea of "prudent warfare" is not fabricated out of thin air, but has profound theoretical roots and practical foundations. Theoretically speaking, the idea of "prudent warfare" was influenced by traditional Chinese military thought, especially the essence of Sun Tzu's Art of War. Sun Tzu said in the Art of War: "The upper army is strategic, the second is the enemy, and the second is to attack the city." "A soldier who surrenders without a fight, and a good man who is good." "Therefore, the soldiers are clumsy and fast, and they have not seen the coincidence for a long time. Those who have been serving for a long time and the country are not there. These famous sayings and aphorisms all embody the core of the idea of "prudent war", that is, war is a political means, not an end, and it is necessary to avoid unnecessary losses and destruction as much as possible, to resolve disputes through non-violent means as much as possible, and to be quick and decisive if it is necessary to use troops as a last resort, and to exchange the greatest victory for the least cost.
Realistically speaking, the idea of "prudent warfare" is adapted to the situation and changes in the world today, especially the relations and games between major powers. Under the deterrence of nuclear **, the likelihood of a direct military conflict between the great powers is greatly reduced, but it does not mean that peace is achieved, but it is transformed into more complex geopolitical competition and ideological struggle. Under such circumstances, major powers should maintain strategic sobriety and restraint, refrain from rash use of force, and safeguard their own interests and security through diplomatic, economic, cultural, and other means, while also respecting the sovereignty and development rights of other countries, safeguarding international order and rules, and promoting world peace and development.
Finally, we should evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the idea of "prudent warfare." Senior Colonel Hou Angyu's idea of "prudent warfare" has its positive and negative sides. On the positive side, the idea of "prudent war" is in line with China's foreign policy of peace, embodies China's image as a responsible major country, and is conducive to China's establishment of prestige and influence in the international community, as well as to building mutual trust and cooperation between China and other countries to jointly respond to various global challenges and crises.
On the negative side, the idea of "cautious war" may also lead China to make too concessions and compromises on some major issues, undermining China's core interests and national dignity, and may also cause some ambitious and hostile countries to misjudge China's intentions and determination, encourage them to take more radical and provocative actions, and bring greater security threats and pressure to China. Therefore, the idea of "prudent war" cannot become the sole guide for China's foreign military operations, but should be flexibly applied and adjusted according to different situations and objectives, and it is necessary to have both the wisdom of "prudent war" and the courage to "dare to fight," the means of "deterrence" and the ability to "attack," and the desire for "peace" and the confidence of "victory."