1. Introduction

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “The connotation and extension of our national security are richer than ever before in history, and the spatial and temporal scope is broader than at any time in the past, with internal and external factors more complex than ever.” In the historical context of the new era, promoting and popularizing national security is more necessary than ever. China’s rural areas are widespread and hold a fundamental position, their importance is self-evident. However, national security awareness has not been adequately spread in rural areas, and there is an urgent need to strengthen national security education in these regions. We must consider the specificities of rural areas and follow the principle of combining general and special approaches to enhance national security education in rural communities.

2. The Importance of Strengthening National Security Education in Rural Areas

National security education is an important means of raising citizens’ awareness of national security and enhancing their ability to prevent security threats. In rural areas, due to factors such as geographical remoteness and poor information flow, some residents have insufficient awareness and attention to national security. Therefore, strengthening national security education in rural areas and improving the national security awareness and preventive capabilities of rural residents is crucial for maintaining social harmony and stability in rural areas and safeguarding the overall security of the country.

Firstly, national security education helps meet the needs of maintaining national security and social stability. National security is the fundamental premise for the survival and development of a nation and its people [1], and social stability is an essential component of national security. As the basic unit of the country, the safety and stability of rural areas are crucial to the overall security of the nation. Strengthening national security education in rural areas can raise the national security awareness and social responsibility of rural residents, making them more proactive in safeguarding national security and social stability.

Secondly, national security education helps improve the security prevention capabilities of rural residents. The concept of national security today is broader than ever before, encompassing not only traditional security but also new security concepts such as biological security, ecological security, and food security. In rural areas, illegal activities that threaten China’s biological and food security occur from time to time, posing a risk to national security. Through national security education in rural areas, residents can learn about common security threats and preventive measures, thereby improving their own security awareness and contributing to the protection of national security.

Lastly, national security education contributes to the construction of the national security system. The establishment of a national security system requires the participation of every citizen. By conducting national security education in rural areas, the cognitive gap in national security awareness between urban and rural residents can be narrowed, encouraging all residents, both urban and rural, to actively engage in learning about national security. This, in turn, enhances the overall effectiveness of the national security system and improves the nation’s overall security level.

3. Current State of National Security Education in Rural Areas

Although China has increasingly prioritized national security education for all citizens, the current state of national security education in rural areas, which are relatively underdeveloped, remains concerning.

3.1. Low Level of National Security Awareness Among Rural Residents

In rural areas, the overall level of national security awareness among residents is low. Most people do not have the concept of national security. Even if some individuals are aware of the concept, their understanding is limited, and they cannot fully grasp the connotation and importance of national security. As a result, national security education fails to achieve its intended impact. Moreover, the channels for information dissemination in rural areas are relatively narrow, mainly relying on traditional media such as radio and television. The penetration of modern communication tools like the internet is lower in rural areas, limiting residents’ access to national security information and hindering the formation of a comprehensive understanding of national security.

3.2. Scarcity of National Security Education Resources in Rural Areas

Compared to urban areas, there is an inherent imbalance in the distribution of educational resources in rural regions [2]. Furthermore, national security education has not developed into an independent system. It is typically organized on an as-needed basis by national security agencies or educational departments, without fixed schedules or locations. This situation leads to a more severe scarcity of national security education resources in rural areas, further limiting opportunities for residents to engage with national security education. Without improvements in the related educational system, the lack of national security education resources in rural areas is unlikely to change.

3.3. Monotonous Forms of National Security Education in Rural Areas

Currently, national security education in rural areas mainly relies on traditional forms of promotion and educational activities, such as bulletin boards, pamphlets, and centralized lectures. These methods often lack interactivity and engagement, making it difficult to stimulate the interest and enthusiasm of rural residents for learning. Moreover, national security education is not just about imparting theoretical knowledge; it also requires practical activities to deepen understanding and enhance the ability to respond to security threats. Due to limited resources, rural areas face challenges in organizing a wide variety of national security practice activities, resulting in a monotonous educational approach. Finally, national security education in rural areas lacks innovation and adjustment to meet the specific needs of rural residents. The forms and content of education are often repetitive, failing to tailor national security education to the knowledge levels and regional contexts of rural populations. This lack of innovation and relevance makes it difficult to spark the interest and participation of rural residents in learning.

4. Problems in National Security Education in Rural Areas

After understanding the current state of national security education in rural areas, we must also identify the existing issues to provide targeted solutions and effectively address these challenges.

4.1. Weak National Security Awareness Among Rural Residents

Due to the relatively low level of economic development in rural areas, residents’ living standards and cultural education vary significantly. With basic subsistence still a challenge for some, rural residents tend to focus more on personal and family livelihood issues, giving less attention to national security matters. Additionally, traditional cultural values in rural areas are relatively conservative, and local cultural characteristics are prominent. In this cultural context, rural residents place more emphasis on family and kinship relationships, and are less concerned with macro issues like national security. This leads to a lower willingness to learn about national security, as residents perceive it as a distant concern, unrelated to their daily lives. In conclusion, rural residents generally feel that learning about national security is unnecessary and have a weak awareness of national security.

4.2. Inadequate National Security Education System in Rural Areas

The primary manifestation of an inadequate national security education system is the lack of overall planning and coordination. Between different regions and departments, the objectives, content, and methods of national security education often differ, and there is a lack of unified standards and requirements. This results in the inefficiency of national security education and hinders the formation of a cohesive effort. The inadequacy of the national security education system is also evident in the lack of continuity and normalization. In many areas, national security education is often temporary and short-term, making it difficult to establish a sustained, regular educational mechanism. This situation prevents national security education from deeply ingraining itself in society and limits its broader social impact.

4.3. Disconnection Between National Security Education and Practical Needs in Rural Areas

In existing rural national security education, the content often fails to align with the daily lives and practical needs of rural residents. The education tends to be overly theoretical and dry, lacking practical examples and situations that are closely related to the production and daily lives of rural residents. As a result, rural residents find it hard to connect national security education with their own lives, making it difficult for them to understand the relevant concepts and diminishing their interest in learning. Moreover, rural areas face unique security challenges, such as border security and biological security, that require targeted educational content. However, existing rural national security education often neglects these specific needs, offering a one-size-fits-all approach similar to urban national security education. The content is often generalized, lacking focus and relevance, which results in a mismatch between the education provided and the actual needs of rural residents.

5. Strategies for Strengthening the Rural National Security Education Frontline

After recognizing the current state of national security education in rural areas and the existing issues, we must carefully consider and identify effective strategies to address the challenges faced by rural national security education today.

5.1. Innovating the Form and Content of National Security Education in Rural Areas

When designing the content of national security education for rural areas, it is essential to fully consider the daily lives, cultural background, and practical needs of rural residents. By explaining national security cases closely related to rural life, we can increase the learning interest and participation of rural residents. Education methods and approaches should be innovative and diversified, incorporating techniques such as group discussions and field trips to enhance interactivity and engagement. At the same time, modern information technology, such as the internet and mobile applications, should be utilized to expand educational channels and innovate the format of education. Organizing various national security knowledge competitions, lectures, and forums can further encourage active participation from rural residents. By offering rewards and recognition, we can ignite their enthusiasm and motivation for learning. Additionally, combining rural cultural and traditional characteristics, diverse national security education activities should be carried out. [3] For instance, national security-themed operas, dances, and stories can be arranged, allowing rural residents to learn about national security in a pleasant and enjoyable atmosphere. Creating a positive environment where everyone loves and desires to learn about national security is essential.

5.2. Optimizing the Allocation of National Security Education Resources in Rural Areas

The government should increase its financial investment in national security education in rural areas to ensure adequate funding for activities aimed at bringing national security education to these regions. The increase in financial input can improve the quality and quantity of educational resources, meeting the learning needs of rural residents. Special attention should also be given to specific groups in rural areas. For vulnerable groups, such as left-behind children and families in poverty, tailored national security education support and assistance should be provided to ensure they have equal access to such education, thereby improving their participation in learning activities. Finally, a long-term mechanism for national security education in rural areas should be established to ensure the sustainability and stability of educational resource allocation. Through this long-term mechanism, continuous support and protection for rural national security education can be guaranteed. [4]

5.3. Improving the National Security Education System in Rural Areas

Efforts should be made to strengthen the planning and coordination of the national security education system in rural areas to ensure consistency and uniformity in the education objectives, content, and methods. The leading department for rural national security education should be established, and through coordinated planning and organization, an overall synergy should be formed to improve the effectiveness of national security education. The continuity and normalization of rural national security education should be promoted, establishing a systematic educational mechanism. This will help national security education deeply ingrained in the hearts of rural residents, creating widespread social influence. Lastly, enhancing social participation is crucial: social forces, including businesses, social organizations, and volunteers, should be encouraged to take part in rural national security education. Through diversified cooperation models, the richness and diversity of educational resources can be increased, resulting in a collective participation across society.

6. Conclusion

Strengthening the national security education defense line in rural areas is a crucial measure for maintaining national security and ensuring social harmony and stability in rural areas. By enhancing national security education in rural areas and improving the national security awareness and preventive abilities of rural residents, we can effectively prevent and address various security threats, providing strong support for the harmony, stability, and long-term peace of rural societies and the nation as a whole. Therefore, we should attach great importance to national security education in rural areas, adopt effective measures to promote and implement it, and contribute to the social harmony and national prosperity. [5]