All the nuclear facilities in the earthquake-hit areas are safe and secure, a senior Chinese military officer said in Beijing on Sunday afternoon.

Ma Jian, deputy director of the Combat Department of the General Staff Headquarters of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), told a press conference hosted by the Information Office under the State Council that the nuclear facilities have been put under strict protection by forces of the armed police and PLA immediately after the strike of earthquake on May 12.

"I could say in a responsible manner that all these facilities are safe and secure," Ma said.

"There is no problem at all."

In response to a question about whether military facilities in Sichuan province were affected by the earthquakes, Ma said some of the military facilities were only slightly affected. He said the military have conducted a thorough inspection of all the facilities and garrisons involved and found no major damage to the facilities.

(Xinhua News Agency May 18, 2008)