Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang pointed out at a briefing on Thursday that US activities in space have become the main driving force behind its militarization and the transformation of outer space into a battlefield.
⠀
Earlier, US Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said that the risk of a direct military clash between the United States and China exists and will only increase over time. He also expressed confidence that the United States “runs out of time” to get ahead of China in the field of military developments. According to Kendall, over the past two decades, Beijing has been “building up military forces capable of containing and defeating” Washington in the event of conflict in the Asian region. China’s growing arsenal of long-range missiles and anti-satellite weapons, in particular, threatens American superiority in areas such as air combat and space reconnaissance, he said.
⠀
“The US is using so-called threats from other countries as a pretext to expand its military power, China firmly opposes this,” Zhang Xiaogang said at a press conference on Thursday.
⠀
According to him, everyone knows that the United States defines outer space as a battlefield, develops and deploys offensive space weapons, conducts military exercises on attack and defense and related technical experiments.
⠀
“Out of malicious intent, they track the spacecraft of other countries and approach them at a dangerous distance, creating a risk of collision. All this has become the main driving force behind the militarization of space, turning it into a battlefield, and also the main threat to security in space,” Zhang Xiaogang said .
⠀
He also stressed that China has always adhered to the peaceful exploration of space and opposed the arms race in its space.
⠀
“We call on the United States to abandon the zero-sum ideology of the Cold War, stop spreading false statements, and stop building up weapons in space,” Zhang Xiaogang said.
