China Slams New US Space Force As Weaponizing A “New Battlefield” 

Entirely to be expected, China has slammed Trump’s newly established Space Force, calling it an unnecessary first move on the part of Washington to weaponize space. 

Warning of a new Cold War style weapons space race, China’s Foreign Ministry said it is “deeply concerned” and “resolutely opposed” to the United States’ newest sixth branch of the military, calling it a threat to peaceful space missions undertaken by other countries.

Coming days after Trump signed into law the defense bill which formally establishes United States Space Force, foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said: “The relevant U.S. actions are a serious violation of the international consensus on the peaceful use of outer space, undermine global strategic balance and stability, and pose a direct threat to outer space peace and security,” according to the Associated Press. 

He also said the US initiative marking the first time in 70 years that a new branch has been established could make space into a “new battlefield”. 

However, Washington officials and pundits have pointed to Beijing’s own ambitious space program which has advanced rapidly since China’s first crewed mission in 2003, per the AP:

China in 2007 conducted an unannounced missile strike against one of its own defunct satellites, creating an enormous amount of space debris.

Geng dismissed such concerns, calling them “unfounded counter charges” that merely provided the U.S. with a justification for its own actions. China, he said, has consistently opposed the weaponization of space and believes international treaties on arms control in outer space need to be negotiated.

According to a prior report in Axios, China’s ambitions and intentions in space remain somewhat ambiguous, and while it “has publicly maintained that its goals in space are peaceful” it remains that it’s “military is also working toward shoring up its capabilities in space, driving the U.S. to take stock of its own orbital defenses.”

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman added further: “We hope that the international community, especially the major powers concerned, will adopt a cautious and responsible attitude to prevent outer space from becoming a new battlefield and work together to maintain lasting peace and tranquility in outer space.”

Trump’s own remarks upon signing the 2020 NDAA which authorized the Space Force didn’t bring Beijing any reassurances. He had said: 

“The Space Force will help us deter aggression and control the ultimate high ground.”

“For the first time since President Harry Truman created the Air Force over 70 years ago — think of that — we will create a brand new American military service. That’s such a momentous statement,” Trump said at the signing ceremony.

“With my signature today, you will witness the birth of the Space Force, and that will be now officially the sixth branch of the United States Armed Forces. That is something really incredible. It’s a big moment. That’s a big moment, and we’re all here for it. Space, going to be a lot of things happening in space,” he added.