Archive · 15 Sep 2026
China Urges US to Stop Preparing for Space War
China is worried that the United States is putting weapons in space.
A Chinese official asked the United States to stop preparing for war in outer space.
The official said China wants space to be used peacefully.
A senior US Air Force official said the United States already has weapons in orbit that can help defend its forces.
He did not explain exactly what those weapons are.
An expert said they might jam radio signals or possibly destroy satellites.
Destroying satellites could create dangerous space debris.
The United States has also discussed space-based interceptors for its planned Golden Dome defense system.
The statements have increased attention on the possibility of a weapons competition in space.
China urged the United States to stop expanding its military presence and preparing for war in outer space.
US Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said the United States has space-control weapons operating in orbit.
Meink did not specify the type of weapon, which could involve electronic warfare, radio jamming, or satellite-destroying technology.
China said it supports peaceful uses of outer space and opposes turning space into a battlefield or starting an arms race.
The United States has previously announced that its Golden Dome system could include space-based missile interceptors.
- Who
- China, the United States, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, and US Air Force Secretary Troy Meink.
- What
- China criticized the reported deployment of US space-control weapons and urged Washington to stop preparing for war in outer space.
- When
- China issued its statement on Tuesday, one day after Meink confirmed the weapons deployment on Monday.
- Where
- The reported weapons are operating in orbit, or outer space; the officials' statements were reported in connection with the United States and China.
- Why
- China said it opposes the weaponisation of space, its transformation into a battlefield, and an arms race in space.
China's position
United States' position
Military activity in space
China's position
China says the United States should stop expanding its military presence and preparing for war in outer space, and should take steps to protect global strategic stability.
United States' position
The United States says its space-control weapons are intended to defend joint forces against hostile adversaries and respond to evolving threats.
Weaponisation of space
China's position
China says it supports peaceful use of outer space and opposes turning space into a battlefield or starting an arms race.
United States' position
The United States has acknowledged weapons in orbit and has discussed space-based interceptors as part of the planned Golden Dome defense system.
Nature of the deployed weapon
China's position
China's statement did not identify the weapon's specific capabilities but objected to the broader military development.
United States' position
Meink confirmed the deployment without details; an outside expert suggested it could be a jamming system or, less likely, a physically destructive satellite-killing vehicle.
- US confirmation
- Troy Meink said the United States has space-control weapons operating on orbit.
- Chinese response
- Guo Jiakun urged the United States to stop expanding its military presence and preparing for war in outer space.
- Weapon details
- Meink did not publicly specify what type of weapon had been deployed.
- Possible capabilities
- An expert said the system could involve electronic warfare, radio jamming, or a kinetic vehicle capable of striking a satellite.
- Golden Dome
- The Trump administration has previously announced that the planned air-defense system could include space-based interceptors.
- China's stated position
- China says it supports peaceful uses of outer space and opposes its weaponisation.
- Related concern
- CNN previously reported that US intelligence agencies assessed Russia was trying to develop a nuclear weapon for space.