The Second Artillery Force (SAF) of China's People's Liberation Army has grown into "a strategic force equipped with both nuclear and conventional missiles" through the years, says a white paper on the country's national defense on Thursday.

Following the principle of "building a lean and effective force," the SAF strives to push forward its modernization and improves its capabilities in "rapid reaction, penetration, precision strike, damage infliction, protection, and survivability," while steadily enhancing its capabilities in "strategic deterrence and defensive operations," says the white paper, issued by the Information Office of the State Council, or Cabinet.

The white paper says it continues to develop a military training system unique with the strategic missile force, improve the conditions of on-base, simulated and networked training, conduct trans-regional maneuvers and training with opposing forces in complex electromagnetic environments.

It has set up laboratories for key disciplines, specialties and basic education, and successfully developed systems for automatic missile testing, operational and tactical command and control, strategic missile simulation training, and the support system for the survival of combatants in operational positions, the paper says.

The SAF has worked to strengthen its safety systems, strictly implement safety regulations, and ensure the safety of missile weaponry and equipment, operational positions and other key elements, the paper says.

It has continued to "maintain good safety records in nuclear weapon management," it says.