Illustration: Chen Xia/GT

Recently, a shocking incident in Lebanon has raised widespread concern. The accidental explosion of civilian communication equipment, which resulted in dozens of deaths and thousands of injuries, has triggered profound worries about global supply chain security and revealed deep-seated contradictions in the current international order.

China is following closely the relevant incident. It opposes any act that infringes on Lebanon's sovereignty and security and expresses concerns over possible escalation of tensions in the region that this incident might trigger. 

In this incident, everyday communication devices were remotely controlled and turned into deadly weapons, a scene that seems straight out of a science fiction movie but unfolded before our eyes in reality. It forces us to ponder: In such a highly interconnected world, how do we ensure the security of global supply chains? What kind of security concept do we need?

Traditional security concepts, particularly the group confrontation security concept adhered to by the US and Western countries after the end of the Cold War, as well as the absolute security concept pursued by the US after 9/11, can no longer meet contemporary needs. In fact, they have become a principal inducement for global insecurity, including instability in industrial chains.

Global supply chains have become highly integrated, and interdependence among nations is increasingly close. Problems in any part of the supply chain can affect the security of the entire system.

For a long time, the US has viewed supply chain security as an essential tool for maintaining its global hegemony. In the name of "national security," it has identified China as a strategic competitor, groundlessly suppressing Chinese manufacturing in an attempt to contain China's development.

Following the Lebanon incident, some forces and Western media outlets seized the opportunity to incite the "China threat" theory and push for a "decoupling" with China. A recent Bloomberg report entitled "Exploding pagers raise global supply-chain security concern" states that China has pre-positioned cyber attackers to "wreak havoc on our critical infrastructure at a time of its choosing," as Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray warned in April. "Its plan is to land low blows against civilian infrastructure to try to induce panic and break America's will to resist," he added.

This kind of groundless imaginary enemy strategy is hazardous.

In recent years, the US has become increasingly entangled in the self-perpetuating cycle of the "China threat" narrative. This excessive focus on security has intensified the instability and fragmentation of global supply chains, further hindering international collaboration essential for addressing climate change, regional conflicts and income inequality.

Supply chain security relies on cooperation; only through cooperation can we build a more stable global supply chain.

In light of the new challenges posed by the weaponization of civilian equipment, we need to construct a new global supply chain security mechanism, strengthen information sharing and technical cooperation, and jointly formulate international rules to ensure the safety and stability of supply chains.

Countries should strengthen communication and cooperation through multilateral institutions such as the United Nations to collectively address this new type of security threat. We need an inclusive platform that allows all stakeholders to participate in rule-making.

Additionally, we need to establish a regulatory platform involving multiple countries and companies to improve tracking and supervision of critical components and equipment. This requires technical means, as well as trust and cooperation from all parties.

Many security threats stem from regional conflicts. We need to alleviate tensions through diplomatic channels to reduce the potential for attacks. 

Proper security ensures that all countries are equally secure, rather than building security based on the insecurity of others. In today's globalized world, for any nation to ensure its own security, it must also be concerned about the security of other countries.

China's proposed "common security concept" deserves serious consideration from the international community. It emphasizes that security is indivisible, and one country's security should not come at the expense of another's. Only by jointly maintaining security can we achieve lasting peace and shared prosperity.