This paper discusses the concept of security as a speech act and value, as well as the composition of the international security discourse system. The international security discourse system with Chinese characteristics is guided by the holistic view of national security, emphasizing non-confrontational, inclusive, and open attributes, which differ from the exclusive logic and hegemonic nature of Western approaches. Constructing this system is a crucial measure for safeguarding national security, enabling responses to external environmental changes, advancing the modernization of the national security system, and implementing the Global Security Initiative. Academic research on this system has focused on conceptual definitions, case interpretations, and countermeasure analyses for challenges. Although existing studies have covered basic connotations and practical construction, gaps remain in interdisciplinary analysis and discourse risk prevention. This article systematically reviews the current state of China's international security discourse system, analyzes its core elements, principles, and content, and proposes response strategies.

1. Core Elements, Construction Principles, and Core Content of the International Security Discourse System with Chinese Characteristics

This section discusses the core elements, principles, and content of constructing the international security discourse system with Chinese characteristics. The core elements include discourse subjects, discourse narratives, and identity construction, which play pivotal roles in enhancing international security discourse power. Discourse subjects encompass the government, media, academic institutions, etc., disseminating China's security stance through multiple channels. Discourse narratives emphasize the connection between common security and universal human security concerns, enhancing narrative appeal through practice. Identity construction seeks a balance between self-positioning and global expectations, shaping China's image as a promoter of international security order reform. The construction principles are openness, inclusiveness, and practicality, aiming to address global security challenges through win-win cooperation, respect for sovereignty, and accumulated practice. The core content revolves around the holistic view of national security, the global security concept, the autonomous knowledge system of national security studies, and the construction of a community of shared security for humanity. These aim to increase the acceptance and recognition of China's international security concepts and policy propositions, demonstrating China's resolve and responsibility in global security governance.

2. Characteristics of the International Security Discourse System with Chinese Characteristics

This section discusses the characteristics of constructing the international security discourse system with Chinese characteristics in the new era, including three aspects: First, the modernization of China's national security system and capabilities has facilitated the transformation of discourse resources into discourse advantages. The holistic view of national security proposed by Xi Jinping and the improvement of national security mechanisms have provided endogenous motivation and initiative for discourse system construction. Second, China's security concepts and practices ensure that discourse content is both distinctive and acceptable. Through the accumulation of national security practices, external recognition of international security discourse has been strengthened. Third, the construction of an autonomous knowledge system for national security studies provides theoretical foundations and developmental insights for discourse system construction. The innovative development of the disciplinary, academic, and discourse systems of national security studies offers theoretical references and practical guidance for international security discourse system construction. Overall, China has demonstrated characteristics such as advancing the modernization of the national security system and capabilities, promoting the development of security concepts and practices, and innovating discourse presentation, forming an international security discourse system with Chinese characteristics that has significant influence.

3. Challenges and Issues in Constructing the International Security Discourse System with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era

The challenges and issues in constructing the international security discourse system with Chinese characteristics in the new era include global strategic planning, theoretical interpretation, and discourse competition strategies. First, the global strategic planning for China's international security discourse system needs strengthening. It requires proactive responses to major strategic issues of the era from a global perspective, coordinated planning for national security strategy promotion, and enhanced audience identification. Second, the theoretical interpretation of China's international security discourse system needs deepening. Accelerating the construction of an autonomous knowledge system for national security studies, deepening theoretical research on discourse construction, consolidating the theoretical foundation of the international security discourse system, and improving the skillfulness of security narratives are essential. Third, the discourse competition strategies for China's international security discourse system require optimization. Enhancing discourse flexibility, strengthening the identification of discourse subjects, and breaking the U.S. monopoly and hegemony in discourse are necessary. Only by addressing these challenges can China better respond to external environmental changes caused by shifts in the international landscape and security challenges, as well as potential security crises and risks.

4. Strategic Choices for Constructing the International Security Discourse System with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era

This section delves into the strategic choices for constructing the international security discourse system with Chinese characteristics in the new era. First, it emphasizes the theoretical foundation of the system, including traditional Chinese political thought and major-country diplomacy concepts, as well as the value core of peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. Facing new situations and challenges, it proposes using the holistic view of national security as scientific guidance, emphasizing strategic planning, enhancing theoretical consciousness, and optimizing strategy design to elevate international security discourse power. Specific strategies include: strengthening global strategic planning for international security discourse, actively responding to major strategic issues of the era, implementing the Global Security Initiative, and promoting global security governance; improving the interpretation and international dissemination of national security strategies and policies to enhance global influence. Second, deepening the theoretical interpretation of China's international security discourse system construction, emphasizing the theoretical interpretation of original discourse to boost influence, while accumulating discourse in theoretical forms and enhancing the skillfulness of security narratives. Third, optimizing the competition strategies for constructing China's international security discourse system, building a discourse community with multi-subject collaboration, increasing flexibility in responding to discourse crises, consolidating discourse consensus among security subjects, and improving the communication efficacy of international security discourse. These strategies aim to construct a balanced, effective, and sustainable global security architecture, providing robust discourse support for global security governance.

5. Conclusion

This section highlights the importance of constructing the international security discourse system with Chinese characteristics in the new era, noting that China must grasp changes in the global security landscape to form international security discourse power that aligns with its security practices. By exposing Western countries' discourse hegemony and traps targeting China, it offers practical solutions for preventing and resolving discourse risks. It emphasizes the strategic communication of the Global Security Initiative and the community of shared security for humanity in discourse system construction, enhancing agenda-setting capabilities and advancing global security governance. In the future, China should elevate strategic awareness in constructing the international security discourse system, strengthen disciplinary system development, improve security narrative skills, enhance flexibility in responding to discourse crises, transform discourse resources into persuasion and influence, promote international security cooperation, constructively participate in international security affairs, jointly safeguard international security, and build a community of shared security for humanity.