Recently, the editor saw such an article on the Internet, in which the author proposed that the mainland's military spending should be drastically reduced and funds should be transferred to the fields of people's livelihood and education. As soon as this suggestion came out, it immediately sparked heated discussions in the domestic online media.
Judging by the content of the article, the starting point is good. Long-term high military spending will indeed bring considerable pressure to the state finances, and how to rationally allocate national strength to ensure national defense and promote the development of various domestic undertakings is also an issue worthy of our in-depth consideration.
But this time, the arguments he gave and the arguments he expounded collided with the views of most netizens, and it was inevitable that there would be differences.
In the article, the author mentions that the current world is moving in the direction of peaceful competition through diplomatic cooperation. Many countries are promoting mutual trust and cooperation to reduce the arms race. This view is overly optimistic and one-sided.
In fact, in recent years, regional conflicts have continued, the nuclear issue remains unresolved, Sino-US relations have become increasingly tense, and neighboring countries have also strengthened their own armaments. In such a complex, changeable, and unpredictable international environment, it is obviously not the right time to weaken the mainland's own national defense strength.
The author failed to fully take into account the peculiarities of the continent at the geopolitical and historical stage. As a large country with tens of thousands of kilometers of borders, the relations between our neighboring countries are complicated, and the long-standing border disputes are still difficult to solve.
The mainland is also in the critical period of the "two centenary goals", and it still faces many challenges in realizing national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Against this background, the reduction in military spending will inevitably affect the mainland's ability to safeguard national security and contain potential risks.
In online public opinion, most netizens also disagree. They believe that in the current period when the international environment is uncertain and the mainland is facing many hidden dangers, the argument of a big reduction in military spending inevitably lacks the necessary overall outlook and realistic judgment. The geopolitical situation is grim, and attaching importance to national defense and security is a top priority.
The mainland's current military expenditure is not high relative to the amount of GDP, and there is ample room for growth. Military-civilian integration has become one of the important development directions of our military, and increasing military spending is conducive to military scientific and technological progress and economic development.
Some netizens also shared their insights based on historical experience. Judging from the situation in which the mainland's nuclear weapons were backward and encircled by the United States and the Soviet Union in the 50s and 60s, if there had not been a vigorous national defense industry at that time, the consequences would have been unimaginable. At the same time, we should not forget the dominant position of small countries such as Israel in China's foreign relations with strong defense capabilities.
Therefore, public opinion believes that today, when the situation is even more severe, if the mainland cuts its military spending, it will appear groundless, and this is also in sharp contrast to the great importance that the masses of the people attach to national defense and security.
Of course, this is not to say that the mainland cannot consider the rational allocation and effective use of military spending, but in the current environment, attaching great importance to national defense building and strengthening its strength should still be the primary task. Only when national defense has solid hard power in its hands as support can the mainland play a greater role in the international arena and enable the people to meet the various opportunities and challenges ahead with peace of mind.
Rather than making significant cuts, increasing military spending may gain more understanding and support. In the controversy of public opinion, this is also the consensus and voice of most netizens.
Despite his well-intentioned intentions, the expert's idea of drastic cuts in military spending is difficult to find support in the current situation. This is not only out of touch with the public opinion of the majority of the people, but also difficult to reflect the overall strategic perspective. It is our duty to exhaust all kinds of exile and give rational and constructive advice, rather than blanket rejection.
It is also hoped that relevant experts will give more consideration to the changes in the general environment at home and abroad and give constructive suggestions to promote the interests of the mainland. Only with a strong national defense guarantee can the mainland advance toward a new situation in safeguarding national sovereignty and promoting various undertakings.