China says it has ‘no intention’ of joining space race after Trump claims US now dominates space

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - China on Friday said it does not aim to engage in a space race with any nation, responding to comments by US President Donald Trump that Washington is now “dominating space” after once “losing it to both China and Russia.”

“China is committed to the peaceful use of outer space, and opposes any arms race in outer space or weaponizing it,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press briefing.

“China has no intention to engage in a space race with any country, nor do we seek so-called advantage in outer space,” she added.

On Thursday, Trump said that the US has “put some very good people” in the Space Force because it had been “losing to China and Russia substantially.”

“And now we're leading China and Russia substantially,” he added.

Trump established the Space Force in 2019 as a separate, sixth branch of the US military during his first term.