China issues White Paper on arms control, peaceful development

March 31st, 2011 - 12:44 pm ICT by ANI  

Beijing, Mar.31 (ANI): China has issued a White Paper on national defense that aims to enhance its military transparency and boost the world’s trust in its commitment to peaceful development.

The document gives an overall picture of China’s national defense ranging from the security environment, national defense policy, to defense expenditure and arms control.

According to the document, China will never seek hegemony, nor will it adopt the approach of military expansion now or in the future, no matter how its economy develops.

Regarding the security environment, the White Paper says the world remains peaceful and stable at large, but the international security situation has become more complex and military competition remains fierce.

The White Paper reviewed the modernization of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), saying it has grown from a single service into a strong military force featuring a range of services and arms.

It says China pursues a national defense policy, which is defensive in nature.

The goals and tasks of China’s national defense are defined as safeguarding national sovereignty, security and interests of national development, maintaining social harmony and stability, accelerating the modernization of national defense and armed forces, maintaining world peace and stability.

China’s defense expenditure mainly includes expenses for personnel, training and maintenance, and equipment, with each accounting for roughly one third of the total, says document.

China has moderately increased the funds for high-tech weaponry and equipment and their supporting facilities.

China attaches importance to and takes an active part in international efforts in the field of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation, the White Paper says.

The country adheres to the complete fulfillment of the UN’s role in this area, and that of other related international organizations and multilateral mechanisms.

The White Paper also reviewed the deployment of armed forces, national defense mobilization and reserve force building, military legal system, as well as science, technology and industry for national defense.

The document is the seventh of its kind the Chinese government has issued since 1998, The Xinhua reports. (ANI)

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