BEIJING, March 5 (ChinaMil) -- The PLA Daily on March 2 published an article titled Enhancing Discourse Power, Shaping the PLA's Sound International Image. The article was written by Senior Colonel Wu Qian, director of the Information Bureau of the Office for International Military Cooperation of China’s Central Military Commission and spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense, and Major Deng Mi.

The article proposed that the PLA should establish four images in the international community. Part of it is provided below.

The military image is the general impression left by the military in the minds of the public through their actions, exterior characteristics and inner spirit. It is an important part of the national image and a key element in military soft power. As the international strategic landscape is constantly adjusting, the Chinese military must strive to enhance its discourse power and shape a sound international image.

The Chinese military should update and establish its image in following respects.

The first image is loyalty, meaning the PLA is a loyal force always following the command of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

This is highly consistent with its loyalty to the nation and the people. Loyalty is the spiritual core of the Chinese people's armed force and the fundamental reason why it can always defeat its enemies. We should neither dodge nor be ambiguous about this when establishing the PLA's international image.

The second image is strength, meaning the PLA is a powerful force that dares to fight and is able to win.

The powerful military strength is hard power, while the image of a powerful force is soft power. The strength doesn't just mean advanced weapons and equipment. The soldiers' firm faith and advanced concepts are equally important. Establishing a strong image isn't to flex our muscles or bully the weak, but to safeguard and ensure the peace.

The third image is openness, meaning the PLA opens up to and embraces the world.

Opening up is a long-term guideline for the CPC and the PLA, and establishing the PLA's open image not only showcases the inclusiveness and confidence, but also enables China to improve itself by drawing on others' strengths, so as to create a peaceful world.

The fourth image is responsibility, meaning China will bear the responsibility of a major world power in the military aspect.

A responsible image is a convincing expression of the nation's and the military's credibility. China has honored every commitment it has made to world peace and stability, fully demonstrating its standing as a major world power which matches its words with deeds.

The new era has brought unprecedented conditions and opportunities for the Chinese military to establish its international image.

First of all, the growth of the Chinese military, its growing modernization level and the enhancement of its combat force has laid a solid foundation for establishing its image.

Second, the series of efforts made by China to safeguard world and regional peace and stability and provide international public security products has been recognized by people around the globe, laying the factual foundation for establishing the PLA's image.

Third, the rapid development of new media has broken the monopoly and blockade of public opinion by some western countries and offered a useful platform for the PLA to establish its image.

Of course, opportunities always come side by side with challenges.

Some people still cannot catch up with the advanced ideas and concepts and are unwilling to make moves and take up responsibilities proactively. Some are slow in making emergency responses and airing authoritative opinions, and some have shortcomings in the level of information release and the ability of shifting the discourse system. Moreover, the external opinion of the PLA's image doesn't exactly match the Chinese military's expectation. China should act quickly to solve these problems.

(The Authors are Wu Qian, director of the Information Bureau of the MND, and Deng Mi, staff officer of the Information Bureau of the MND.)