On Tuesday, China urged the United States to refrain from expanding its military buildup in space. This request came after Washington publicly confirmed for the first time that it has deployed operational weapons in Earth's orbit.
China's commitment to the peaceful use of space
Gao Jiakun, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said at a press conference in Beijing: "China has always been committed to the peaceful use of space and maintaining security in it. We oppose any arms race in space and efforts to militarize it or turn it into a battlefield."
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Gao added: "We ask the United States to stop the expansion of its military buildup in space and to take practical actions to maintain global strategic stability." These remarks came after Frank Kendall, the U.S. Secretary of the Air Force, announced on Monday that the U.S. Space Force has operational weapons in orbit capable of responding to threats from adversaries.
Increasing military competition in space
Kendall said at an aerospace and cyber conference: "We will continue to ensure that we are prepared to face the challenges of threats wherever they may arise." He also emphasized that he did not disclose details regarding the timeline for the operationalization of these weapons and their types of capabilities.
He noted: "These public statements were intentional, and the terminology used was very carefully considered to enhance military deterrence." Kendall also stated: "Discussing the details of what we are doing does not really aid this deterrence."
This revelation comes as military competition in space is increasing, particularly among the United States, China, and Russia. All three countries have developed anti-space capabilities.
The 1967 Outer Space Treaty prohibits the deployment of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in orbit, but it does not explicitly prohibit conventional weapons in space. Security experts have warned that the public confirmation of the deployment of orbital weapons may encourage other rivals to expand their capabilities and lead to the militarization of space.
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