BEIJING, July 21: China today admitted that it has a powerful nuclear missile arsenal which is ready to take on any challenge to its sovereignty and territorial integrity.``We have developed a limited number of strategic nuclear arms for the sake of breaking the nuclear monopoly, opposing blackmail, containing a possible nuclear attack and creating a peaceful environment for China's construction,'' Yang Quoliang, commander of the Second Artillery Force (SAF) of People's Liberation Army (PLA) was quoted as saying by the official Chinese media.Yang said the SAF, China's missile troop, has developed a comprehensive training system for simulated missile launches and exercises by missile troops.Its logistics departments have helped it keep abreast of arms and equipment used in modern warfare, engineering and military research. It has a strong contingent of military researchers and more than 70 per cent of the SAF officers were college graduates, Xinhua said, quoting Beijing's Outlook magazine.The SAF had conducted exercises in the east sea and south China sea in 1995 and 1996 to test its combat readiness and was a ``comprehensive test'' of its ability, the report quoting Yang said.Discussing the growth and major achievements of China's guided missile force over the past decade, the senior Army official said the SAF, founded on July 1, 1966, with the approval of the late chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai, entered a new period of development in the 1990s.However, he said the Chinese people and men of the country's missile force welcome nuclear disarmament and are opposed to the nuclear arms race.The SAF, which is now equipped with various types of missiles, has successfully conducted a number of live firings and offensive tactical manoeuvres.
