Comprehending the Holistic Approach to National Security through Scientific Thinking

National security is an important foundation for the steady and sustained progress of Chinese-path modernization. The year 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s creative proposal of the holistic approach to national security. Over the past decade, this holistic approach has kept pace with the times, innovatively leading national security in the New Era to achieve historic accomplishments and undergo historic transformations. As an important component of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the holistic approach to national security contains rich scientific thinking methods, which must be implemented through scientific thinking.

国家安全是中国式现代化行稳致远的重要基础。2024年是习近平总书记创造性提出总体国家安全观10周年。十年来，总体国家安全观与时俱进，创新引领新时代国家安全取得历史性成就、实现历史性变革。总体国家安全观作为习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的重要组成部分，蕴含着丰富的科学思维方法，要以科学思维贯彻总体国家安全观。

Comprehend the holistic nature of the holistic approach to national security through strategic thinking. The holistic approach to national security is the first major strategic thought in the history of our Party to be established as the guiding ideology for national security work. [1]1 The “holistic approach to national security” (总体国家安全观) was formally proposed by Xi Jinping in 2014 and enshrined as the guiding ideology for national security work at the 19th National Congress of the CPC in 2017. The holistic approach to national security focuses on the overall strategy of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, is grounded in China’s realities, and emphasizes the need to coordinate both domestic and international situations and make good use of both domestic and international resources, which reflects the holistic nature of its strategic thinking. Based on an overall judgment of historical trends and the characteristics of the times, the holistic approach to national security is a strategic reflection on the relationship between China and the world made amid changes unseen in a century. It adheres to a broad historical perspective, fully draws on historical experience, is rooted in current realities, and simultaneously plans for long-term development, embodying the forward-looking and developmental nature of strategic thinking. This requires that, when formulating and implementing policies, we must stand at the height of national and ethnic interests, focusing on the country’s long-term development and changes in the international situation. The holistic approach to national security emphasizes sizing up the situation from a strategic height, systematically responding to security challenges, preventing and defusing major risks, and comprehensively utilizing various resources and means to form an all-encompassing, multi-tiered, and three-dimensional security guarantee system.

以战略思维领悟总体国家安全观的全局性。总体国家安全观是我们党历史上第一个被确立为国家安全工作指导思想的重大战略思想。总体国家安全观着眼中华民族伟大复兴战略全局，立足中国实际，强调要统筹好国内国际两个大局，利用好国内国际两种资源，这体现了其战略思维的全局性。总体国家安全观基于对历史趋势和时代特征的总体判断，是在世界百年未有之大变局中做出的关于中国与世界关系的战略思考，坚持大历史观，充分借鉴历史经验，立足现实情况，同时谋划长远发展，体现了战略思维的前瞻性和发展性。这要求我们在制定和执行政策时，必须站在国家和民族利益的高度，着眼于国家的长远发展和国际形势的变化。总体国家安全观强调要从战略高度审时度势，系统回应安全挑战，防范化解重大风险，综合运用各种资源和手段，形成全方位、多层次、立体化的安全保障体系。

Comprehend the overall character of the holistic approach to national security through systemic thinking. The key to the holistic approach to national security lies in “holistic,” emphasizing that security is comprehensive, integral, and systemic, with systemic thinking reflected everywhere. In terms of objectives, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasizes “adhering to systemic thinking, building a grand security framework, promoting international security and world peace, and providing a strong guarantee for building a modern socialist country.” This requires us not only to pay attention to domestic security situations and issues but also to look at the global and international environment, actively participating in international security cooperation and exchange. In terms of process, the report of the 20th National Congress of the CPC repeatedly emphasizes “coordinating development and security” and “integrating the maintenance of national security into all aspects and the entire process of the work of the Party and the state.” The holistic approach to national security involves not only all aspects and issues of national security but also equal emphasis on development and security and the construction of a grand security framework, requiring us to focus both on maintaining national stability and security and on promoting the country’s economic development and social progress, achieving mutual promotion and coordinated development between the two.

以系统思维领悟总体国家安全观的总体性。总体国家安全观关键在“总体”，强调安全是全面的、整体的、系统的安全，处处体现出系统思维。在目标上，习近平总书记强调“坚持系统思维，构建大安全格局，促进国际安全和世界和平，为建设社会主义现代化国家提供坚强保障”。这要求我们不仅要关注国内的安全形势和问题，还要放眼全球和国际环境，积极参与国际安全合作和交流。在过程上，党的二十大报告反复强调“统筹发展和安全”，强调“把维护国家安全贯穿党和国家工作各方面全过程”。总体国家安全观不仅涉及国家安全的各个方面和问题，还包括对发展与安全的同等重视和对大安全格局的构建，要求我们既要注重维护国家的稳定和安全，又要促进国家的经济发展和社会进步，实现两者的相互促进和协调发展。

Comprehend the integrated nature of the holistic approach to national security through dialectical thinking. Dialectical thinking emphasizes a profound grasp of the dialectical unity between things and within things themselves, using the law of the unity of opposites to observe and analyze things. The dialectical thinking embodied in the holistic approach to national security is multi-dimensional, including both comprehensive overall coordination and the emphasis on key points and the unity of the two-point theory. The holistic approach to national security emphasizes planning according to circumstances, overall coordination, and balanced handling, requiring us to respond flexibly to complex and changing international situations and domestic environments and to formulate corresponding security strategies based on specific conditions. The holistic approach to national security emphasizes coordinating external and internal security, territorial and popular security, traditional and non-traditional security, and one’s own security and common security, as well as coordinating the maintenance and shaping of national security. The “five coordinations” [2]2 The “five coordinations” (五个统筹) refer to coordinating external and internal security, territorial and popular security, traditional and non-traditional security, one’s own security and common security, and the maintenance and shaping of national security. fully embody the unity of comprehensiveness and the emphasis on key points in dialectics, requiring us to consider various factors in all fields and aspects while highlighting key points and grasping the crucial.

以辩证思维领悟总体国家安全观的集成性。辩证思维强调深刻把握事物之间及其内部的辩证统一关系，运用对立统一规律观察分析事物。总体国家安全观体现的辩证思维是多维度的，既包括全面的统筹兼顾，也包括重点论的突出和两点论的统一。总体国家安全观强调因势而谋、统筹协调、平衡把握，要求我们在面对复杂多变的国际形势和国内环境时能够灵活应变，根据具体情况制定相应的安全策略。总体国家安全观强调统筹外部安全和内部安全、国土安全和国民安全、传统安全和非传统安全、自身安全和共同安全，统筹维护和塑造国家安全。“五个统筹”充分体现了辩证法中全面性和重点论的统一，要求在各个领域和方面都要考虑到各种因素，同时突出重点，抓住关键。

Comprehend the continuity of the holistic approach to national security through historical thinking. Historical thinking emphasizes learning from history, understanding the present by examining the past, and being adept at using historical perspectives to recognize the laws of development, grasp the direction of progress, and guide concrete practice. The proposal of the “holistic approach to national security” originates both from the theoretical evolution and great practice of the Communist Party of China in maintaining national security over the past century and from a profound absorption of the experiences and lessons of maintaining national security at home and abroad throughout history. The historical thinking of the holistic approach to national security requires us to be adept at using historical materialism, from the broad perspective of a grand view of history and the basic laws of world historical development, to contemplate national security risks, analyze national security challenges, and then, on the basis of exploring the laws of preventing national security risks in China under the new era background, effectively prevent and defuse major risks in the field of national security. The historical thinking of the holistic approach to national security also enlightens us that we must base ourselves on the long river of history to comprehensively and correctly understand China’s current national security, fully absorb the historical initiative spirit of implementing the holistic approach to national security, and resolutely avoid falling into the extremes of historical idealism and historical nihilism.

以历史思维领悟总体国家安全观的继承性。历史思维强调以史为鉴、知古鉴今，善于运用历史眼光认识发展规律、把握前进方向、指导具体实践。“总体国家安全观”的提出，既源自百年来中国共产党维护国家安全思想的理论演进和伟大实践，同时又深刻汲取了古今中外维护国家安全的经验教训。总体国家安全观的历史思维要求我们要善于运用唯物史观，从大历史观的宏阔视野和世界历史发展的基本规律中思考国家安全风险、分析国家安全挑战，进而在探索新的时代背景下我国国家安全风险防范规律的基础上，有效防范化解国家安全领域重大风险。总体国家安全观的历史思维同时启示我们，要立足历史长河全面正确认识现今的中国国家安全，充分汲取贯彻落实总体国家安全观的历史主动精神，坚决不陷入历史唯心主义、历史虚无主义的极端。

Comprehend the developmental nature of the holistic approach to national security through innovative thinking. Innovative thinking is a way of thinking that keeps pace with the times, seeks change and novelty, and solves problems with novel and unique methods. The holistic approach to national security is a major innovation in national security theory, proposing for the first time a national security concept with the “five elements” [3]3 The “five elements” (五大要素) refer to political security, economic security, military security, cultural security, and social security as the foundational components of national security. and “five pairs of relationships” [4]4 The “five pairs of relationships” (五对关系) refer to the relationships between development and security, external and internal security, territorial and popular security, traditional and non-traditional security, and one’s own security and common security. as its core tenets, systematically answering the major question of how to maintain and shape national security in a large developing socialist country like China, and constructing an overall layout for maintaining national security. Over the past decade, the holistic approach to national security has continuously kept pace with the times, achieving theoretical and practical innovations time and again. With the development of the times and social progress, national security faces an increasing number of new situations and challenges. Therefore, we need to continuously innovate work ideas and methods, explore models and paths for national security management suitable for our national conditions, including strengthening work in areas such as scientific and technological innovation, talent cultivation, and international cooperation and exchange. Facing the new journey, scientifically grasping the holistic approach to national security requires us to comprehensively use multiple thinking methods to analyze and solve problems, focus on combining theory with practice, and continuously explore and innovate work methods and approaches to adapt to the ever-changing security environment and challenges.

以创新思维领悟总体国家安全观的发展性。创新思维是与时俱进、求新求变、以新颖独到的方法解决问题的一种思维方式。总体国家安全观是国家安全理论的重大创新，首次提出以“五大要素”和“五对关系”为核心要义的国家安全观，系统性回答了在中国这样一个发展中的社会主义大国如何维护和塑造国家安全的重大问题，构建了维护国家安全的总体布局。十年来，总体国家安全观不断与时俱进，一次次实现理论和实践创新。随着时代的发展和社会的进步，国家安全面临越来越多的新情况和新挑战。因此，我们需要不断创新工作思路和方法，探索适合我国国情的国家安全管理模式和路径，包括加强科技创新、人才培养以及国际合作与交流等方面的工作。面向新征程，科学把握总体国家安全观需要我们综合运用多种思维方法来分析和解决问题，注重理论与实践相结合，不断探索和创新工作方式与方法以适应不断变化的安全环境和挑战。

Comprehend the practical nature of the holistic approach to national security through law-based thinking. Law-based thinking is a way of thinking that uses legal concepts, principles, and rules to understand things, judge right from wrong, and solve problems. Law-based governance is an important guarantee for national security. The report of the 20th National Congress of the CPC points out the need to “comprehensively advance the law-based governance of all work in all sectors of the state,” which includes the law-based governance of national security. During the 26th collective study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized “strengthening law-based thinking and building a system of national security institutions that is comprehensive, scientifically standardized, and effectively operational.” The holistic approach to national security requires us to focus on using law-based thinking and methods to solve national security problems, continuously improve relevant laws, regulations, and policy measures, establish and improve the working systems and mechanisms for national security that meet the requirements of the New Era, intensify law enforcement, strengthen oversight mechanisms, and promote work such as the publicity and education of the rule of law in national security, ensuring that all security work operates within the framework of the rule of law, effectively guaranteeing the long-term stability and security of the country and the peaceful lives of the people.

以法治思维领悟总体国家安全观的实践性。法治思维是运用法治理念、原则、规则认识事物、判断是非、解决问题的一种思维方式。依法治国是国家安全的重要保障，党的二十大报告指出，要“全面推进国家各方面工作法治化”，其中也包含国家安全的法治化。习近平总书记在中央政治局第二十六次集体学习时强调，“加强法治思维，构建系统完备、科学规范、运行有效的国家安全制度体系”。总体国家安全观要求我们要注重运用法治思维和法治方式解决国家安全问题，不断完善相关法律法规和政策措施，建立健全适应新时代要求的国家安全工作体制机制，加大执法力度，强化监督机制，推动国家安全法治宣传教育等方面的工作，确保各项安全工作都在法治的轨道上运行，有效地保障国家长治久安、人民安居乐业。

Comprehending the initiative of the overall national security concept with bottom-line thinking. Bottom-line thinking means being vigilant in peace, preparing for danger in times of safety, and nipping problems in the bud; it means not wavering on matters of principle, setting the minimum standards, minimum conditions, and minimum limits that cannot be breached, while maintaining tactical flexibility to strive for the best outcome. The central task of national security work in the New Era is to adhere to bottom-line thinking and prevent and defuse national security risks. China’s development has entered a period in which strategic opportunities and risk challenges coexist, and uncertain and unpredictable factors are increasing. Various “black swan” and “gray rhino” events may occur at any time. Only by enhancing the awareness of potential dangers and adhering to bottom-line thinking can we withstand major tests of high winds and choppy waters, or even treacherous waves. General

以底线思维领悟总体国家安全观的主动性。底线思维就是居安思危、未雨绸缪、防微杜渐，坚持原则问题不动摇，设定好不能突破的最低标准、最低条件、最低限度，同时保持策略的灵活性以争取最好结果。新时代国家安全工作的中心任务，就是坚持底线思维，防范化解国家安全风险。我国发展进入战略机遇和风险挑战并存、不确定难预料因素增多的时期，各种“黑天鹅”“灰犀牛”事件随时可能发生，只有增强忧患意识、坚持底线思维，才能经受住风高浪急甚至惊涛骇浪的重大考验。习近平总书记深刻指出：“各种风险我们都要防控，但重点要防控那些可能迟滞或中断中华民族伟大复兴进程的全局性风险，这是我一直强调底线思维的根本含义。”底线就是由量变到质变的临界点，一旦底线被突破，事物的性质就会发生根本性的变化。明确底线、坚守底线，不仅是为了防止最坏结果出现，更是为了掌握主动，争取最好结果。

Comprehend the combativeness of the holistic approach to national security with extreme thinking. Extreme thinking is a method of thinking that pushes the issue or object under study to its limit for consideration. General Secretary Xi Jinping, when presiding over the first meeting of the 20th Central Committee for National Security of the CPC, pointed out that "we must adhere to bottom-line thinking and extreme thinking, and prepare to withstand major tests of high winds and choppy waters, or even raging storms." [5] Extreme thinking is a method of thinking that General Secretary Xi Jinping has particularly emphasized on the issue of national

以极限思维领悟总体国家安全观的斗争性。极限思维是把研究的问题或事物推至极限状态下进行思考的一种思维方法。习近平总书记在主持召开二十届中央国家安全委员会第一次会议时指出，“要坚持底线思维和极限思维，准备经受风高浪急甚至惊涛骇浪的重大考验”。极限思维是习近平总书记在国家安全问题上特别强调的思维方法，与底线思维形成一体两翼的思维组合。相比底线思维，极限思维强调在面对不确定难预料因素增多的风险挑战时，要有迎接“极限考验”的战略准备。极限思维要求我们在维护国家安全的过程中，要主动考虑最坏、最极端的情况，考虑那些难以预料的风险挑战出现后如何应对和处置。要立足问题最“顶”端俯瞰问题全局，用大概率思维应对小概率事件。这需要我们从最坏处着想，从最细处着手，通过精细化管理和防范工作，把影响我国国家安全的各种风险控制在最小范围内。

(The author is a researcher at the Shaanxi Provincial Research Base for Forging a Strong Sense of Community for the Chinese Nation (Shaanxi Normal University) and Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Marxism at Xi’an University of Technology.)

（作者系陕西省铸牢中华民族共同体意识研究基地（陕西师范大学）研究员、西安理工大学马克思主义学院党委书记）

Online editor: Huihui

网络编辑：慧慧