The Information Office of the State Council issued on December 9 a white paper titled China's National Defense in 2002, which gives an account of the country's national defense policy and progress in national defense over the past two years.

The 30,000-character white paper consists of nine parts: Foreword, The Security Situation, National Defense Policy, The Armed Forces, National Defense Building, Armed Forces Building, International Security Cooperation, Arms Control and Disarmament, and Appendices.

This is the fourth white paper related to national defense ever released by the Chinese government since 1995.

The white paper contains facts and figures, which testify to the fact that China unswervingly follows a road of peaceful development, pursues an independent foreign policy of peace and implements a national defense policy that is defensive in nature.

To continue to propel the modernization drive, to achieve national reunification of the motherland, and to safeguard world peace and promote common development are the three historical tasks of the Chinese people in the new century, according to the white paper.

The white paper says that threats to world security have come in multiple forms and assumed global dimensions, which has increased the common interests of countries on the issue of security. It has become the requirements of the trend of this era to enhance mutual trust through dialogue, to promote common security through cooperation, and to cultivate a new security concept featuring mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and cooperation.

China is always a staunch force for safeguarding world peace and promoting common development, the white paper says. China will unremittingly put the new security concept into practice, oppose all kinds of hegemonism and power politics, and combat terrorism in all forms and manifestations.

China will strive, together with other countries, to create an international environment of long-term peace, stability and security, says the white paper.

The full text of the white paper follows:

Foreword I.The Security Situation II.National Defense Policy III.The Armed Forces The People's Liberation Army The Chinese People's Armed Police Force The Militia IV.National Defense Building Legal System Mobilization Education Defense Expenditure Science,Technology and Industry for National Defense Land and Sea Border Defense Civil Air Defense Participating and Supporting the Development of the Western Region V.Armed Forces Building Military Training Political Work Logistical Support Weaponry and Equipment Cadre Training VI.International Security Cooperation Regional Security Cooperation Anti-Terrorism Cooperation Participation in UN Peace-keeping Operations Military Exchanges and Cooperation VII.Arms Control and Disarmament Nuclear Disarmament Chemical and Biological Disarmament Missile Defense and Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Their Means of Delivery Small Arms and Anti-Personnel Landmines Appendices Appendix I Main Military Laws and Regulations Issued Since 2000 Appendix II Major Military Exchanges with Other Countries in 2001-2002 Appendix III Participation in Security Consultations in 2001-2002 Appendix IV Participation in UN Peace-keeping Operations Appendix V Chinese Armed Forces' Participation Since 2000 in Assisting Japan in Handling the Chemical Weapons Abandoned by Japan in China

(Xinhua News Agency, December 9, 2002)