China seeks stronger security, governance to support modernization

September 29, 2026 (MLN): Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for the Peaceful China Initiative to be advanced to a higher level, stressing stronger national security and risk prevention to ensure steady progress in the country's modernization drive.

Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, issued the directive in a recent instruction on the initiative, according to Xinhua.

He said significant progress has been made in building a safe China since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, describing the country as one of the safest in the world.

Xi Jinping called for a holistic approach to national security while upholding and strengthening the CPC's overall leadership in the area.

He also stressed the need to balance development and security, strengthen the legal framework, use science and technology, and prevent and mitigate risks across relevant areas.

These measures, he said, should contribute to safer communities, more orderly society, more effective governance and greater public satisfaction.

Xi's instruction was conveyed at a working conference on the Peaceful China Initiative held in Beijing on Monday.

Chen Wenqing, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of its Commission for Political and Legal Affairs, said the initiative had delivered results and that public safety had become a distinctive feature of China's governance.

He called for combining punishment and prevention while strengthening efforts to take the initiative to a higher level.

Wang Xiaohong, a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and minister of public security, said implementation would focus on key tasks, innovative approaches and stronger foundations at the grassroots level.

At the conference, 60 cities and 160 counties were designated as model areas for advancing the Peaceful China Initiative and received honorary plaques.

Xinhua also cited the recently released Global Public Security Index Report (2025-2026), which placed China at the top of its index with a score of 84.62 points.

The initiative is being positioned as part of broader efforts to maintain public security and strengthen governance as China advances its modernization agenda.

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