A journey through China and a few lessons

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"I owe to my country and Bangladesh Army for giving me chances to visit China twice for sacred and professional assignments. I wish sharing my feeling and experiences from China would justify the spending of Government money for me by my beloved MOTHER LAND."

China has a long history of over 5,000 years. Bangladesh is a populous country like China with 150 million population. The demographic harmony is the greatest strength of ours as prevails in China. Bangladesh enjoys of having big force-masses which can be turned into manpower.

Abdullah Al Mamun

Due to professional assignments, many officers (like me) visit China round the year and gather invaluable experiences. Sharing some of those experiences may encourage working better for Bangladesh.

Chinese Military Thoughts and 'The Art of War': Looking through the Lens

Sun Zu's ‘The Art of War' is treated as foundational work of Chinese military theory. His work remains a timeless masterpiece. In the Gulf War officers of US Marine Corps had a copy of The Art of War so as to read in the battle field. Even in the 2003 war against Iraq, one could easily detect strategies that were inspired by this work. It has been configured as books of business strategy rather than military theory.

Sun Zu says "Winning a victory and subduing the enemy without fighting is the highest excellence. War is not for slaughter; if you win without fighting, the way you can do so is the greatest military strategy". Sun Zu also put due emphasis on attainment of virtues by a commander where he says "The commander treats his soldiers as if they were little children and loves them as they were his own offspring. He respects them as if they were his teachers. But when he uses them, he does so without the least compunction as if they were no more than mud and grass". An analysis on above statement suggests that a commander must be a hard trainer. Again he must have keen interest on the needs of his under commands/comrades.

A Magnifying View on Modern China's Development and Vision: Looking through the Outsider's Eyes

China's defence policy focuses to promote peace and stability all over the world. China consistently opposes imperialism, hegemonies, and colonialism, works to strengthen unity with the people of other countries, supports the oppressed nations and the developing countries. "China has no soldiers stationed abroad and has no military base outside the country." China will not join any military bloc as some the official documents suggest.

Technological development of China in military hardware and its recent concept is praiseworthy. The genuine answer to that speculation narrates the reality as under:

"From the Opium War in 1840 to the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, China had been bullied and humiliated by Western powers for more than a century. Historical facts have taught Chinese people that only an adequate national defence can guarantee the country's sovereignty, security, unification and territorial integrity."

Modernization in Chinese armed forces is the part of the defense and to create deterrence only. And such policy China has adopted in nuclearization by saying "No first Use".  

Visit Experience: A Source of Great Knowledge

Chinese has the history of construction of Great Wall that signifies their defense preparation. It is their source of pride, business-spot and it inspires the visitors for great works. Not only that when Chinese have any challenging task ahead, they refer the Great Wall. For example, many roads were constructed by the Chinese people voluntarily in inaccessible and mountain areas taking the lessons from the Great Wall. Even before construction of 35.673 Kilometer the world longest trans-oceanic Hangzhou Bay Bridge, leaders reminded the history of Great Wall. Forbidden City is also another land mark for the Chinese people where dignitaries of all levels visit and it is also a source of their pride.

They have number of military museums in various provinces. All activities of the military museum are so meticulously arranged; thus any citizen would grow respect for the sacrifice of soldiers.

Still the Chinese study the noble works of Confucius. His philosophy emphasized personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity. He put the greatest emphasis on the importance of study. He could prove that family is the ideal place to create a good citizen. Chinese society had felt his influence more than two thousand years. Many Chinese believe that due to strong motivation and social rules, people used to sleep at night keeping the doors open during Confucian Era.

Lesson Learnt: A Few Significant Areas

People are sources of inspiration and support for war as Mao Tse Tung opined throughout the life time. People's Liberation Army (PLA) was the brainchild of him. Since its creation, PLA supported the people's decision. Compulsory military training is also another way to keep both military and civilian in common platform. Through this training, a civilian grows due respect for the hard military lives. Most of the Chinese military training institutions have the facilities to study other general subjects like, literature, economics, history etc. Many of the professors have very little knowledge on weapon system and put on ranks like officers. Because, China is against the concept of ‘Jack of all trades, master of none.’ Thus the military institutions always possess qualified and experienced teachers for both military and civilian students.

A good primary education system may strengthen the base of society. No doubt our education system should be devoid from greed, violence and confusion. In the era of globalization, our primary education system should be based on technology. In China, there are Teachers' Colleges where the teachers are possibly separated from senior/higher mid school (between SSC and HSC). For the brilliant and poor (normally from villages) candidates are given with financial assistance/scholarship. For our education system at villages, we may need to study the same of the Chinese including the role of the village chiefs.

Many Chinese people firmly believe on the Confucian statements like -"too much wealth acquired easily does not yield positive results for the individual and society." Therefore, most of the Chinese are not extravagant. Similarly people of Bangladesh need to be simple to manage meager resources for too many people.

Recently China strengthens friendly relations with US as regards to meet the regional and global challenges. Sino-US relation is no more with permanent rivalry, rather both of them agreed to work together in various global issues. In fact Bangladesh also enjoys the same spirit - "friendship to all malice to none". We need to strengthen friendly relations with the neighbours - India and Myanmar. To do so we need to come out from all prejudice and to be more forward looking.

Conclusions

People's War, namely Guerrilla Warfare, evolved by Mao Tse Tung had success during the long struggle. Bangladesh had the similar victory during her Liberation War in 1971 where Mukti Bahini acted like the Chinese guerrillas. The development of any country, we need to be more disciplined in all spares of lives as the Chinese. At national level also we need to preserve the history our nation to motivate the students and children. National image is also important around the globe.

The author Lieutenant Colonel Abdullah Al Mamun, psc, G was commissioned in the Regiment of Artillery in 1990. He served in various command and staff appointments.  Recently he is serving as General Staff Officer First Grade in Army Headquarters, Bangladesh Army.

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