China would not confirm or deny the existence of a new undergroundnuclear submarine base off the southern island of Hainan, Reutersreported. Analysts from Jane's Information Group said a satellitephotograph showed the facility's existence, and that such a base wouldbe key to future plans of the People's Liberation Army Navy. "China isgoing down the road of peaceful development. China's national defensepolicy is defensive. Other countries have no reason to fear, or make afuss about it and be prickly," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang tolda regular news conference. Jane's said China's concern about access tovital sea lanes in the country's south had intensified because of itsincreased dependence on imported petroleum and mineral resources.Jane's said the photo suggested a 20-year military build-up in theParacel Islands had supported the base.