China has urged the United States to stop preparing for war in space after they deployed weapons into orbit for the first time.
The US Space Force said it had deployed “on-orbit space control weapons” capable of defending against hostile actions by adversaries, although it did not provide details about the weapons.
China’s Foreign Ministry criticised the move, warning against the weaponisation of outer space and the possibility of an arms race beyond Earth.
“We urge the US side to stop expanding its military capabilities and preparing for war in outer space,” ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Tuesday.
The US Space Force identified China and Russia as major threats in its announcement, accusing Beijing of developing space and counterspace capabilities as part of its military modernisation strategy.
It also said Russia considers control of space a potentially decisive factor in future conflicts.
The development adds to growing tensions between Washington and Beijing over military and strategic influence in space. The two countries, along with Russia and India, have increasingly explored capabilities that could disrupt or target satellites used for military communication, surveillance and navigation.
The militarisation of space dates back to the Cold War, with the United States and Soviet Union developing technologies to protect and potentially destroy spacecraft after the launch of Sputnik in 1957.
The 1967 Outer Space Treaty prohibits the placement of weapons of mass destruction in orbit, but does not prevent all forms of conventional military activity in space, leaving room for continued competition among major powers.
