Beijing, Jan. 20 : China on Tuesday issued a White Paper on national defense, pledging to be committed to the peaceful development and advance its military modernization.

The paper for the first time unveiled China''s ambition to "basically accomplishing mechanization (of the military) and making major progress in informationization by 2020" and "realizing modernization by the mid-21st century."

The white paper on "China''s National Defense in 2008" was issued by the Information Office of the State Council, Xinhua reported.

Vowing to strengthen the military by means of science and technology, the paper said China was working to "develop new and high-tech weaponry and equipment, conduct military training in conditions of informationization and build a modern logistics system in an all-round way."

On China''s military strategic guideline of active defense, the paper said this guideline "aimed at winning local wars in conditions of informationization."

On the current effort to streamline the armed forces, the paper said China is aimed at developing a complete set of "scientific modes" of organization, institutions and ways of operation by 2020.

The paper for the first time specified in detail China''s long-standing policy of "no first use of nuclear weapons."

"In peacetime, the nuclear missile weapons of the Second Artillery Force are not aimed at any country," the paper said while reaffirming the country''s will to implement "a self-defensive nuclear strategy." (ANI)