BEIJING, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- China always adheres to the principle of the use of outer space for peaceful purposes, and opposes the weaponization of or an arms race in outer space, said a white paper on Tuesday.

The white paper, titled "China's Space Activities in 2016," said the country develops and utilizes space resources in a prudent manner, takes effective measures to protect the space environment to ensure a peaceful and clean outer space and guarantee that its space activities benefit the whole of mankind.

The white paper, issued by the State Council Information Office, said the Chinese government takes the space industry as an important part of the nation's overall development strategy.

In the next five years and beyond China will uphold the concepts of innovative, balanced, green, open and shared development, and promote the comprehensive development of space science, space technology and space applications, so as to contribute to both serving national development and improving the well-being of mankind, according to the white paper.

The white paper said the purposes of China's space activities are to explore outer space and enhance understanding of the earth and the cosmos; to promote human civilization and social progress; to meet the demands of economic, scientific and technological development, national security and social progress; and to protect China's national rights and interests, and build up its overall strength.