China quashes claims of its star-wars dreams
6 Nov 2009, 1443 Hrs

Add comment          Mail          Print          Write to Editor

* Education Directory * Exam Results * Who is Who * Information *Tutorials * Articles * Quote * Classified

Beijing, Nov. 6 China has clarified that the People's Liberation Army's recent interest in space programs is not aimed at weaponizing outer space, but to engage in peaceful ventures.

The China Daily quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu, as saying: "I want to point out China has all along upheld the peaceful use of outer space. We oppose the weaponization of outer space or a space arms race. China has never and will not participate in an outer space arms race in any form. The position of China on this point remains unchanged."

"We must build a space force that conforms with the needs of our nation's development, the demands of space age development and good for regional stability and world peace," he added.

Earlier, Air Force Commander Xu Qiliang of the People's Liberation Army had triggered speculation about a star-wars-like situation in near future by saying that "competition between military forces is shifting to space".

United States General Kevin Chilton, who heads the US Strategic Command, said that he wanted more information on China's position when asked about Xu's remarks.

Beijing's space program "is an area that we'll want to explore and understand exactly what China's intentions are here, and why they might want to go in that direction and what grounds might accommodate a different direction," he said.

However, Zhai Dequan, deputy director of China Arms Control and Disarmament Association, said the key problem with the speculation is that there "is still distrust. No matter how sincere China is, they would consider it a conspiracy," he said.

China's first lunar probe, the Chang'e-1 satellite, finished its mission in October 2008.

Last year, three Chinese astronauts completed the country's first spacewalk during a 68-hour voyage. (ANI)

Related Latest

Krishna downplays Mirwaiz's China visit 'No objection to Mirwaiz's China visit if visa not stapled' Italy meeting of Dalai Lama draws China ire Cape Verde seeks Indian help to develop its IT Photos were stolen, claims surrogate mom of Parker's twins Saina, Arvind bow out of China Super Series NATO cannot afford to turn its back on Afghanistan: Rasmussen China puts dissident student leader on trial after Obama leaves Indian Navy to commission its first women navigators ULFA admits it is using China as a base

Related Latest

RSS not interfering in choosing new president, says BJP Coimbatore farmer gets high yield of tomatoes, using green house technology Naxalism foremost challenge before Jharkhand: Sonia Lawyers demanding separate High Court Bench protest in Delhi No 'big ticket' agreements on table during PM's state visit to US Shiv Sainiks attack TV channel offices in Mumbai, Pune; 4 staffers injured Tell Pakistan not to use terror as state policy: Manmohan Singh to US Meenal Thakur in quarterfinals of World Snooker Oprah Winfrey brings curtain down on her talk show Manmohan to seek Obama pressure over Pakistan

• Naxalism foremost challenge before Jharkhand: Sonia
• Coimbatore farmer gets high yield of tomatoes, using green house technology
• Lawyers demanding separate High Court Bench protest in Delhi
• No 'big ticket' agreements on table during PM's state visit to US
• RSS not interfering in choosing new president, says BJP

• भारतीय क्रिकेट की मजबूत दीवार
• कंगारूओं के आगे ढेर, चीतों से कैसे मुकाबला करेंगें शेर
• Reducing greenhouse gases may not be enough to slow global warming
• बीकानेर महापौर चुनावः एक विश्लेषण
• Deepawali: The Festival Of Lights