This is continuation of the previous article on the same subject. This part lists out the aspects related to strategies, tactics and means employed as a weapon for achievement of desired goals. These aspects are as follows:
Strategic and Military Thoughts
Rich Strategic Tradition. China has had a number of scholars and philosophers in her thousands of years of history. Chinese Confucian philosophy advocates peaceful political solutions and discourages use of military force. But the works of a number of well-known strategists have heavily influenced her military philosophy, warfare, and political discourse.
Sun Tzu. Sun Tzu was a Chinese general, military strategist, writer and philosopher. He is traditionally credited as the author of The Art of War, an influential work of military strategy. His works focus on alternatives to battle, such as stratagem, delay, the use of spies and alternatives to war itself, the making and keeping of alliances, the uses of deceit and a willingness to submit, at least temporarily, to more powerful foes. His writings have deeply influenced military thought in China. Major ones which are visible in China’s actions are as follows:
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- “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”
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- “All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.”
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- “Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.”
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- “When strong, avoid them. If of high morale, depress them. Seem humble to fill them with conceit. If at ease, exhaust them. If united, separate them. Attack their weaknesses. Emerge to their surprise.”
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- “There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.”
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- “Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.”
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- “Move swift as the Wind and closely-formed as the Wood. Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain.”
Continue reading “12: DRAGON’S BRAIN: DIFFERENTLY WIRED (PART 2: STRATEGIC AND MILITARY THOUGHTS)”