China must rethink emphasis on 'national security'

China's unique thinking about comprehensive national security was on full display throughout the recently concluded National People's Congress (NPC). The current government, headed by President Xi Jinping, overemphasizes concepts that are vague in scope, which inhibits normal economic and other interactions with the outside world. Beijing should urgently rethink its excessive emphasis on security, which is hurting its own economy.

This also applies to traditional security areas. China's annual defense budget for 2024 is 7.2% higher than last year, well above the government's economic growth target of around 5% and topping 7% for the third straight year.