Commentary
Gen. Chance Saltzman, chief of the U.S. Space Force, has issued urgent warnings about the rapid buildup of Chinese space capabilities.
“The speed at which China is developing various categories of space weapons is highly concerning,”
stated Saltzman during a recent visit to NATO and U.S. forces in Europe.
Referring to “space weapons” is significant. The
Outer Space Treaty of 1967, still in force, prohibits placing nuclear or mass destruction weapons in space. However, China’s interpretation of the treaty may differ, especially in light of their advanced anti-satellite capabilities.
‘Mind-Boggling’ Growth in Chinese Space Capabilities
Saltzman has highlighted China’s rapid militarization of space, with some developments being dual-use for civil and military purposes. The 2007 anti-satellite weapons test by China marked a pivotal moment in their space weaponization efforts.
China’s space arsenal may include grappling hooks, lasers, kinetic kill missiles, and secretive space planes, posing a significant challenge. Saltzman has emphasized China as a major concern in space militarization.
China’s interpretation of the Outer Space Treaty raises questions about the legality of their space weapons development.
China Reorganizes Its Space Forces
China restructured its space activities in 2015 under the Strategic Support Force, which was later disbanded in 2024. This led to the creation of four new forces, including the Aerospace Force, Cyberspace Force, Information Support Force, and Joint Logistics Support Force.
Despite prioritizing space, China’s reorganization differs from the U.S. Space Command and Service setup. The U.S. Space Command and Space Force operate separately, while China’s Aerospace Force reports directly to their central military leadership.
China’s Lunar Ambitions
The Outer Space Treaty prohibits militarization of the moon, but concerns have been raised about China’s lunar ambitions. Bill Nelson, former NASA administrator, expressed worries about China’s activities on the moon during an interview with Politico.
He cautioned, “We better watch out,” in reference to China’s plans to land a crew on the moon by 2030 and establish a permanent presence there.
China has already launched the
Tiangong space station, which is approximately one-third the size of the International Space Station. The Tiangong marks a significant milestone in China’s journey towards a moon landing. Given China’s involvement in the Belt and Road Initiative and ongoing disputes over territorial waters with countries like the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam, it is likely that China’s space ambitions will clash with the principles outlined in the Outer Space Treaty.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
