China and space security National Defense University, PLA, China National Defense University, PLA, China Zhong Jing

China and space securityChina and space security

National Defense University, PLA, China National Defense University, PLA, China

Zhong JingZhong Jing

Part I. Part I. Emerging new challenges to space securityEmerging new challenges to space security

Part II. Part II. China’s concern and position on space securityChina’s concern and position on space security

Part III. RecommendationsPart III. Recommendations


This change mainly stems from the current politics, This change mainly stems from the current politics, economic and S&T environment. economic and S&T environment.

the collapse of the Soviet Union the collapse of the Soviet Union

a reflection of technological prowess and a reflection of technological prowess and tied directly to economic development. tied directly to economic development.

the rapid diffusing space technologythe rapid diffusing space technology

1. the recent changes in U.S. space policy and doctrines 1. the recent changes in U.S. space policy and doctrines are running a great risk of reigniting a new round of are running a great risk of reigniting a new round of competition among the major powers and generating new competition among the major powers and generating new vulnerabilities in space. vulnerabilities in space.


missile defense system is a virtual step leading to missile defense system is a virtual step leading to space weaponization space weaponization

First, defensive technology can easily change into First, defensive technology can easily change into offensive technology and use in offensive operation offensive technology and use in offensive operation


Second, one side with strong defensive and offensive Second, one side with strong defensive and offensive capability, its offensive power and willing are surely capability, its offensive power and willing are surely enhanced enhanced


Third, verify capabilities of space weapons in series of Third, verify capabilities of space weapons in series of tests of missile defense system tests of missile defense system

to conquer and control outer space to conquer and control outer space

the investment of defensive technology : 9the investment of defensive technology : 9 the investment of offensive technology : 1the investment of offensive technology : 1

NSP toward a more militarily-oriented and unilateral approach to space security will have a far-reaching impact on the other countries


uncontrolled competition in developing uncontrolled competition in developing advanced technology leads to escalation and advanced technology leads to escalation and generate action-reaction spirals generate action-reaction spirals

2. with rapid development of space technology, space 2. with rapid development of space technology, space power has tightly linked with land power and become the power has tightly linked with land power and become the most important component of future integrated battlefield. most important component of future integrated battlefield.


the Gulf War 1991

the Kosovo War1999

the Afghanistan War2001

the Iraq War 2003

The Iraq war enabled the coalition force to The Iraq war enabled the coalition force to integrate all its assets into joint operations in true integrate all its assets into joint operations in true sense. It is indeed the first real “Space War” sense. It is indeed the first real “Space War”


First phaseFirst phase Second phaseSecond phase

a compact linkage a compact linkage between space and between space and earth in operation earth in operation

new concepts of space new concepts of space operation, space weapons operation, space weapons and space troops and space troops

““Space War”Space War”

engaging space power into global military deployments engaging space power into global military deployments at every level from strategy to tactics at every level from strategy to tactics


space assets become targets subject to attack or space assets become targets subject to attack or deceptiondeception

possibility of space conflict increase , an accident or possibility of space conflict increase , an accident or misjudgment in space possible expand to a conflict or warmisjudgment in space possible expand to a conflict or war

3. space weapon might be hidden in civil space items due to 3. space weapon might be hidden in civil space items due to space technology dual-use characteristic. space technology dual-use characteristic.


How to regular space items both How to regular space items both ensuring equal right of peaceful use and ensuring equal right of peaceful use and guaranteeing no military intention ?guaranteeing no military intention ?

Firstly, China is taking an active part in space exploration Firstly, China is taking an active part in space exploration and unflinching in taking the road of peaceful and unflinching in taking the road of peaceful development, and always supporting all activities that development, and always supporting all activities that utilize outer space for peaceful purposes. utilize outer space for peaceful purposes.

Part II. Part II. China’s concern and position on space security China’s concern and position on space security

Firstly, China is taking an active part in space exploration Firstly, China is taking an active part in space exploration and unflinching in taking the road of peaceful and unflinching in taking the road of peaceful development, and always supporting all activities that development, and always supporting all activities that utilize outer space for peaceful purposes. utilize outer space for peaceful purposes.


Peaceful use Peaceful use

comprehensive, coordinated and comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable development sustainable development

limited targets, key breakthroughs on small limited targets, key breakthroughs on small scalescale

Secondly, to ensure the peaceful use of outer space, Secondly, to ensure the peaceful use of outer space, prevent the weaponization of outer space, and avoid an prevent the weaponization of outer space, and avoid an arms race in outer space, it is urgent for international arms race in outer space, it is urgent for international community to begin the negotiation of treaty on space community to begin the negotiation of treaty on space nonweaponization. nonweaponization.


Not to test, deploy, or use in outer space any weapons, Not to test, deploy, or use in outer space any weapons, weapon systems or their components; weapon systems or their components;

Not to test, deploy, or use on land, in the sea or Not to test, deploy, or use on land, in the sea or atmosphere any weapons, weapon systems or their atmosphere any weapons, weapon systems or their components that may be used for war-fighting in components that may be used for war-fighting in outer space; outer space;

Not to resort to the threat or use of force against any Not to resort to the threat or use of force against any outer space objects; outer space objects;

Not to assist or encourage other states, groups of Not to assist or encourage other states, groups of states or international organizations to participate in states or international organizations to participate in activities prohibited by the treaty, etcactivities prohibited by the treaty, etc

Thirdly, it is a very effective way for international Thirdly, it is a very effective way for international community to call for space cooperation for reducing community to call for space cooperation for reducing mutual suspicion and achieve two-winning in future mutual suspicion and achieve two-winning in future space security. space security.


on the basis of the principles of equality, on the basis of the principles of equality, mutual benefit, peaceful utilization of outer mutual benefit, peaceful utilization of outer space and common developmentspace and common development

Last but not the least, it is necessary to develop Last but not the least, it is necessary to develop limited defense capability before coming to a treaty on limited defense capability before coming to a treaty on space nonweaponization, since space security is an space nonweaponization, since space security is an very important part of national security. very important part of national security.


require the capability of protecting our require the capability of protecting our space assetsspace assets

defense capability is very limited and not to defense capability is very limited and not to threaten any other country threaten any other country

First, to establish a new security concept is the key point First, to establish a new security concept is the key point for ensuring space security for ensuring space security

RecommendationsRecommendations

Second, to enhance the mutual exchange and Second, to enhance the mutual exchange and understanding is an important strategic measure for understanding is an important strategic measure for achieving the aim of space security. achieving the aim of space security.


At bottom, the most important, it is urgent to begin the At bottom, the most important, it is urgent to begin the negotiation on treaty of space nonweaponization for negotiation on treaty of space nonweaponization for preventing the arms race and relaxing the tension.preventing the arms race and relaxing the tension.


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China and space security National Defense University, PLA, China National Defense University, PLA, China Zhong Jing