Archive · 16 Sep 2026
China Warns U.S. Orbital Weapons Could Fuel Arms Race
China is worried that the United States is putting weapons in space.
A senior U.S. official said the United States has weapons in orbit that can defend against attacks.
He did not say exactly what those weapons are.
China says space should not become a battlefield.
Chinese officials fear other countries will build more space weapons in response.
This could create a cycle where each side sees the other as a bigger threat.
China called on the United States to stop expanding its military activities in space.
The United States has described its orbital weapons as tools for defending its forces.
China urged the United States to halt its military build-up in outer space.
U.S. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said the United States has weapons in orbit capable of defending against hostile actions.
Meink did not identify the space weapons.
Chinese state media said the disclosure could fuel a global space arms race and reflect a pursuit of “space hegemony.”
Chinese officials and analysts warned other countries could respond by strengthening counter-space capabilities.
- Who
- China, the United States, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, and U.S. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink.
- What
- China warned that U.S. weapons deployed in orbit could contribute to a global space arms race.
- When
- China issued its warning on Tuesday; Meink acknowledged the orbital weapons on Monday, according to the report dated September 16.
- Where
- The warning was made at a regular briefing in Beijing and concerns military activity in outer space.
- Why
- China said the United States should avoid weaponizing space and preserve global strategic stability.
China’s concerns
U.S. defense rationale
Military activity in space
China’s concerns
China opposes the weaponization of outer space and says the United States should halt its military build-up there.
U.S. defense rationale
The United States says its on-orbit weapons are capable of defending its Joint Force against hostile actions.
Effect on global security
China’s concerns
China says deploying weapons in orbit could create a security dilemma and push other countries to develop counter-space capabilities.
U.S. defense rationale
The U.S. statement presents the weapons as defensive capabilities, although it does not detail the systems or address China’s arms-race concerns.
- China’s request
- The United States should stop expanding its military build-up in outer space.
- U.S. disclosure
- Troy Meink said the United States has on-orbit space-control weapons.
- Stated purpose
- Meink said the weapons can defend the Joint Force against hostile adversary action.
- Weapons identified
- Meink did not specify which weapons are deployed.
- China’s concern
- The disclosure could fuel a global space arms race.
- Potential response
- Chinese analysts said other countries may strengthen counter-space capabilities.