China's strategic missile forces debuted at a grand military parade Thursday morning to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

A total of 352 cadets of the People's Liberation Army Second Artillery Force goose-stepped through Tian'anmen Square.

They were from the Wuhan-based Second Artillery Command College, the Xi'an-based Second Artillery Engineering College and a sergeant school in Shandong Province.

They wore dark green camouflages compatible to mountainous circumstances.

Wang Puze, a soldier prepared for the parade for at least five months, said he wore out three pairs of boots and two sets of training clothes.

China developed the country's first A-bomb, H-bomb and satellite in the 1960s and 1970s despite the poor technological level and stringent financial status.

Since its establishment in 1966, the Second Artillery, a strategic unit under the direct command and control of the Central Military Commission, has developed a versatile inventory consisting of both nuclear and conventional missiles.

The missile arsenal includes both solid-fueled and liquid-fueled missiles of different ranges, capable of carrying various types of warheads, according to a national defense white paper issued by the Chinese government in January.

The white paper said one of the force's responsibilities is "conducting nuclear counterattacks."

The name "Second Artillery" was given by late Premier Zhou Enlai, referring to arms of services different from the traditional artillery.

(Xinhua News Agency October 1, 2009)