A Pledge Never to Pursue Hegemony, Expansion or Spheres of Influence
China's national defense policy is most prominently characterized by a pledge never to pursue hegemony, expansion or spheres of influence.
From the mid-19th century to the founding of the People's Republic in 1949, China was ravaged by foreign aggression and civil wars. The Chinese people cherish peace, understand the imperative for national development, and will never impose on others the sufferings inflicted on us. China has never provoked a war or conflict over the 70 years since 1949. We have remained committed to world peace and voluntarily reduced our forces by more than four million since the start of China's reform and opening up in the late 1970s.
Instead of benefiting from the largesse of others, or riding on the back of military expansionism or the plundering of colonies, China's successful transition from a poor and weak country to the world's second largest economy relies on a hard-working people and their unrelenting quest for peace. Efforts to maintain world peace help create conditions conducive to national development. Progress in national development, for its part, also contributes to world peace. We sincerely hope that all countries will choose peaceful development, and work together to prevent conflict and war.
China seeks cooperation with others on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and respects other countries' right to decide how they will develop. International disputes should be resolved through dialog and consultation between the countries concerned on an equal footing. China stands firm against interference in other countries' internal affairs, bullying of the weak by the powerful, and any attempt to impose one's own will on others.
China seeks partnership rather than alliances with some against others. It has never joined any military bloc and are firmly opposed to any aggression or expansionist moves, and any wanton use or threat of force. China's defense capability responds to its own legitimate security needs, and contributes to world peace.
History has proven and will continue to prove that China will never follow the beaten track of big powers in seeking hegemony. No matter how far we progress, we will never threaten anyone, or seek spheres of influence.
永不称霸、永不扩张、永不谋求势力范围
坚持永不称霸、永不扩张、永不谋求势力范围，是新时代中国国防的鲜明特征。
中华民族历来爱好和平。近代以来，中国人民饱受侵略和战乱之苦，深感和平之珍贵、发展之迫切，决不会把自己经受过的悲惨遭遇强加于人。新中国成立70年来，中国没有主动挑起过任何一场战争和冲突。改革开放以来，中国致力于促进世界和平，主动裁减军队员额400余万。中国由积贫积弱发展成为世界第二大经济体，靠的不是别人的施舍，更不是军事扩张和殖民掠夺，而是人民勤劳、维护和平。中国既通过维护世界和平为自身发展创造有利条件，又通过自身发展促进世界和平，真诚希望所有国家都选择和平发展道路，共同防范冲突和战争。
中国坚持在和平共处五项原则基础上发展同各国的友好合作，尊重各国人民自主选择发展道路的权利，主张通过平等对话和谈判协商解决国际争端，反对干涉别国内政，反对恃强凌弱，反对把自己的意志强加于人。中国坚持结伴不结盟，不参加任何军事集团，反对侵略扩张，反对动辄使用武力或以武力相威胁。中国的国防建设和发展，始终着眼于满足自身安全的正当需要，始终是世界和平力量的增长。历史已经并将继续证明，中国决不走追逐霸权、“国强必霸”的老路。无论将来发展到哪一步，中国都不会威胁谁，都不会谋求建立势力范围。