The white paper says that outer space is a critical domain in international strategic competition, and its security is strategically significant to national and social development.

With its goal of developing outer space for peaceful purposes, China is actively taking part in international cooperation endeavors in space.

The country is continuing its research and development of related technologies and capabilities, implementing integrated management of space-based information, tracking and monitoring space-related situations, protecting its space assets, and improving its exploration capability and development of space resources, according to the document.

In addition, the white paper lists cyberspace security as a "key area for national security, economic growth and social development". It says that China is facing severe security threats from cyberspace.

In response, the Chinese military has been accelerating the construction of cyberspace forces and making all-out efforts to build defensive measures and capabilities commensurate with China's international status.

It will continue strengthening the country's "internet border defense", detecting and fighting against cyberspace invasion and ensuring information safety.

"(The military) firmly safeguards national cyberspace sovereignty, information security and social stability," the white paper reads.

According to Zhou Hongyi, chairman of China's biggest cybersecurity firm Qihoo 360, his company has identified more than 40 high-level cyberattacks known as advanced persistent threats that were directed at China by foreign organizations over the past several years.