UNDERWATER ADVANCES: A nuclear submarine preparing to dive (XINHUA)	CLEANUP CREW: Personnel on a nuclear submarine base conduct a nuclear contamination cleanup drill (ZHA CHUNMING)

Ever since their foundation, China's nuclear submarine forces, an elite part of their naval and military strength, have kept a low profile. However, the country's first nuclear-powered submarine unit under the North China Sea Fleet recently opened its doors to the media. The first ever large-scale disclosure on training and technological advancements put the mystery unit under the spotlight.

The unit was set up in 1971, and later conducted China's first launch of a carrier rocket from nuclear submarine with ballistic missile-carrying capabilities in 1988.

The success provided solid evidence of the domestically produced submarine's functionality, which has made China the fifth country capable of a sea-borne nuclear launch—after the United States, the former Soviet Union, Britain and France.

Compared with its Western counterparts, China's nuclear submarine forces do not have as many vessels. However, this has been compensated by extra efforts to refresh training formats and strategies, which have contributed to an increase in submarines' operational and training hours and more efficient training of new submariners.

NUCLEAR SCIENCE: An engineer at a nuclear submarine base oversees the disposal of spent nuclear fuel (XINHUA)	SUB GRUB: A nuclear submarinecrew enjoying ameal (ZHA CHUNMING)

For the last 42 years, boats with China's first nuclear submarine unit have traveled more than 1 million nautical miles altogether and completed several successful experiments, sea trials and military drills, with a clean safety record when it comes to the nuclear reactor.

Safe disposal of decommissioned nuclear submarines is recognized as a delicate task worldwide. As early as 2000, the unit's officers and sailors started to work on related procedures and have drafted a complete plan including steps for disposing of spent nuclear fuel and dismantling radioactive sections and equipment amongst other necessary measures. Over a relatively short period of time, they have mastered 12 key technologies and made China the second to successfully and safely decommission a nuclear submarine.

Yin Zhuo, a retired rear admiral of the Chinese navy, thinks that the timing of the disclosure on China's nuclear submarine forces shows that their development has reached a certain stage and Chinese military forces are becoming more transparent and confident. "We are willing to establish mutual trust with all countries on the development of our defense forces and further increase our military transparency," he said.

Yin added that the fact that China has disclosed its nuclear submarine forces indicated that more advanced boats have been manufactured and the development of an even newer generation is in the experimental stage according to how the Chinese military has revealed its arms in the past.

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SKYROCKETING TECHNOLOGY: A Chinese nuclear submarine successfully launched carrier rockets in September 1988 (XINHUA)

China's Nuclear Submarine Timeline

December 1970: The first domestically developed nuclear submarine in China is launched for sea trial.

August 1974: The country's first nuclear submarine goes into service.

November 1985: A nuclear submarine remains at sea for 90 days and covers tens of thousands of nautical miles during its first full-force stress tests, setting a Chinese naval record.

April 1988: A nuclear submarine successfully completes a maximum depth dive, setting another Chinese naval record.

September 1988: A carrier rocket is launched from a Chinese nuclear submarine for the first time.

April 2009: China's nuclear submarines make their public debut.

2013: Development of China's fourth-generation nuclear submarine is completed; the country's first nuclear submarine is decommissioned.

(Source: Compiled by Beijing Review)