China published a white paper on national defence on Dec. 29, pledging to pursue a road of peaceful development and work with other nations to build a peaceful, prosperous and harmonious world.

The white paper, the fifth of its kind the Chinese government have issued since 1998, gives a comprehensive picture of China's national defence ranging from the security environment, the national defence policy, to the People's Liberation Army and people's armed police force, China ’s Xinhua news agency reported.

"China pursues a national defence policy which is purely defensive in nature," says the paper, adding that China's national defence provides the guarantee for maintaining its security and unity, and realising the goal of building a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way.

According to the white paper, China remains firmly committed to the policy of no first use of nuclear weapons at any time under any circumstances.

China will not engage in any arms race or pose a military threat to any other country, the paper added.

By the end of 2005, China had reduced the People's Liberation Army (PLA) by 200,000 troops as announced in 2003, and the PLA currently has 2.3 million troops.

China works to promote good-neighbourliness, mutual benefit and win-win, and endeavours to advance international security cooperation and strengthen military relations with other countries, the paper says.

Source: VNA