BEIJING -- The Chinese government advocates the peaceful use of outer space, and opposes any weaponization of outer space and any arms race in outer space, says a white paper on the country's national defense.

Related readings:  Russia, Israel to cooperate in outer space  Searching for life in outer space  Chinese footprints in outer space  China and Russia shake hands in outer space

"China believes that the best way for the international community to prevent any weaponization of or arms race in outer space is to negotiate and conclude a relevant international legally-binding instrument," says the white paper, issued by the Information Office of the State Council Thursday.

According to the document, in February 2008, China and Russia jointly submitted to the Conference on Disarmament (CD) a draft Treaty on the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space and the Threat or Use of Force against Outer Space Objects (PPWT).

In August 2009, China and Russia jointly submitted their working paper responding to the questions and comments raised by the CD members on the draft treaty.

China is looking forward to starting negotiations on the draft treaty at the earliest possible date, in order to conclude a new outer space treaty, says the white paper.