China urges US to halt ‘expanding military build-up’ in space

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) – China on Thursday urged the US to halt “expanding military build-up” in space, noting that Washington’s move is a threat to the “security and development rights” of other countries in space.

The remarks from the Chinese Foreign Ministry came after US Chief of Space Operations Chance Saltzman on May 15 said at the POLITICO Security Summit that surging technologies spearheaded by the Chinese and Russian forces represent the greatest threat in space defense.

“China has no intention to engage in a space race, nor do we seek a so-called edge in outer space,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a news conference in Beijing.

The spokeswoman said that China is dedicated to the peaceful use of outer space and stands firmly against the militarization or initiation of an arms race beyond Earth.

Mao Ning claimed that the US has designated space as a “warfighting domain,” building up its military capabilities in space and forming alliances to militarize the space.

“That severely threatens the common security and development rights and interests of other countries in space,” she added.

“China urges the US to stop spreading irresponsible rhetoric, stop expanding military build-up in space, and make due contribution to upholding the lasting peace and security in space.”