China Won’t Explain Anti-Satellite Test
US concerns about China’s military buildup have only been heightened by a Chinese anti-satellite test in January that has yet to be explained, the top US military leader said Tuesday.
Admiral Michael Mullen, the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said he raised the test with Chinese leaders when he visited the country in August, as have other senior US officials.
“It speaks to a higher level of concern that many of us in the United States have about what is the strategic intent of the investment, the high tech investment the Chinese government is making with respect to its military capability in the future,” Mullen said.
“That test is a great example of creating a question that hasn’t been answered yet,” he told reporters at the Foreign Press Center here.
China used a ballistic missile to intercept and destroy one of its own ageing weather satellites in low Earth orbit on January 11 in a test that demonstrated the vulnerability of US satellites.
Senior US military officials have said the test was a wake-up call and that China will be able to disrupt US military communications in a conflict within three years.
Chinese officials have responded to US questions about the test with bland assurances that it was not hostile and posed no threat, US officials have said.
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates raised his concerns about the test with Chinese military leaders when he visited Beijing earlier this month, but said there was no further discussion of it.
Be respectful of others and their opinions. Inflammatory remarks and inane leftist drivel will be deleted. It ain’t about free speech, remember you’re in a private domain. My website, my prerogative.
If you can't handle using your real email address, don't bother posting a comment.
And IIRC the debris almost doubled the amount of dangerous junk in low orbit.
November 21st, 2007 at 1:17 am“Chinese officials have responded to US questions about the test with bland assurances that it was not hostile and posed no threat”
OK…then ummm…why test shooting down a satellite at all? Nothing better to do?
I may have fallen off of a Christmas tree, but not yesterday!
November 21st, 2007 at 2:43 amthe new axe of evil ?
China-Mars ?
November 21st, 2007 at 2:47 am