China's long-standing policy that China would not be the first to use nuke weapons at any time and in any circumstance will remain unchanged in the future, says a white paper issued Thursday by the Information Office of the State Council.

According to the China's Endeavors for Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation, China's development of nuclear weapons has always been for the purpose of self-defense.

Since the first day when it came into possession of nuclear weapons, the paper says, the Chinese Government has solemnly declared that it would not be the first to use such weapons at any time and in any circumstance.

Whether confronted with the nuclear threat and nuclear blackmail during the Cold War, or faced with the great changes that have taken place in the international security environment after the Cold War, China has always stayed true to its commitment, says the paper.

Source: Xinhua