Meeting non-traditional threats head-on

The world has faced threats to security as a result of military action, politics and diplomacy. But in the modern age there are also so-called non-traditional threats to the survival and development of a sovereign state, and even mankind, to consider.

These non-traditional threats come in the form of terrorism, drug trafficking, serious communicable diseases, piracy, illegal immigration, environmental security, economic and financial security, and information security.

The catastrophic consequences that non-traditional threats to security can inflict on world peace and stability should not be underestimated. The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people, outnumbering the casualties suffered at the Pearl Harbour.

More than 2,900 lost their lives and more than 8,200 were wounded in terrorist attacks all over the world in 2004.

Compare this to the number of people who die of AIDS every year throughout the world 2.5-3.5 million.

As a result of natural disasters all over the world, at least 2 million people died and another 180 million became destitute and homeless between 1974 and 2003. The Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004 claimed nearly 300,000 lives.

Non-traditional threats to security have surpassed conventional notions of security, which are generally thought of as being geographically confined by a nation's frontiers. These newer dangers are highly transnational, and as such have a bearing on the interests of mankind as a whole.

Because non-traditional threats are not limited to military activity, sheer force will not be enough to contain them.

Non-traditional threats do not tend to escalate in an observable way. Their often-unexpected nature is one of the main reasons they can be so devastating. By the time their serious nature is recognized, the damage has already been inflicted.

Financial crises and communicable diseases are not the result of determined action, but rather stem from a complex process of interconnected, variable circumstances, making putting countermeasures in place extremely difficult.

Non-traditional and traditional threats are, of course, linked in many ways. Many non-traditional threats to security are given rise to directly by traditional security affairs.

For instance, refugee crises and environmental destruction are direct products of war. Non-traditional security threats can in turn trigger conflicts classed as traditional security threats.

A terrorist organization's attempt to secure nuclear, biological or chemical weapons would lead to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Non-traditional threats to security have, of course, been around for a long time in one form or another. Drug trafficking, piracy and highly communicable diseases are not new. The history of natural disasters over the ages is twinned with that of mankind.

The reason non-traditional threats to security have emerged as immediate challenges to the global order lies in the intricate historical background relevant to each case.

The long-term unjust international political order has helped spawn more and more conflicts and crises.

Some states continue to pursue hegemony in international affairs, being guilty of double standards in fighting against terrorism and ignoring other countries' and ethnic groups' interests while thinking only of their own.

This fosters resistance in weaker communities, which may resort to extreme measures. An international order plagued by serious injustice is likely to yield bitter fruits, like terrorism.

Long-term uneven world economic development has spawned further insecurity. While blessing mankind with unprecedented opportunities to heighten international co-operation and promote common development, economic globalization has also widened the gulf between the northern and southern hemispheres, marginalizing some developing countries.

Unbalanced global economic development has led to dire poverty and underdevelopment which in turn has hastened the onset of desperation in some quarters, akin to ploughing fertile land where the seeds of terrorism can germinate.

The incompatibility of mankind's rampant development and the natural environment has created a threat to security. Development has undoubtedly been harmful to the environment.

Research suggests natural calamities befell humans at a higher frequency and intensity in the second half of the last century.

In the 1960s, the world experienced 100 or so natural disasters annually, but the figure has grown to more than 500 a year. Between 1974 and 2003 the planet was hit by 6,367 major natural calamities.

The discord between mankind and Mother Nature has already endangered the security of human life.

The failure of the global crisis response infrastructure to match the rapid development of international relations has given rise to the difficulties in promptly containing non-traditional threats to security.

Should a crisis befall one state or region, it is highly likely peril will spread like falling dominos.

History has shown military power cannot create peace, and politics cannot ensure security. To forge an entirely new security concept is the only workable answer to the increasing incidence of non-traditional threats to security.

In recent years, China has initiated a new security concept with "mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and co-operation" at its core. Faced with an array of non-traditional threats to security, action taken by a single country is likely to fall short of the mark. International co-operation remains essential.

China has conducted a number of operations with ASEAN and Shanghai Co-operation Organization member states in an effort to explore security co-operation.

The international community as a whole should continue to promote multilateral dialogue and co-operation to counter adverse situations, establish better early warning systems and crisis management authorities.

Source: China Daily