According to the website of China's Permanent Mission to the United Nations, on October 21, Li Chijiang, Ambassador for Disarmament Affairs of China, delivered a keynote speech at the 81st session of the First Committee of the United Nations on outer space issues. He pointed out that preventing an arms race and weaponization in outer space is the most urgent task in the governance of outer space security.
Li Chijiang said that currently, the arms race and weaponization in outer space have become a real threat. The United States has defined outer space as a "combat zone," openly acknowledging the deployment of space control weapons in orbit, sending an extremely dangerous signal to the international community. The contradiction between most countries' desire to maintain outer space security and a single country's pursuit of outer space dominance is unprecedentedly acute. This is the greatest challenge facing outer space security. China's position is as follows:
Firstly, preventing the arms race and weaponization in outer space is the most urgent task in governing outer space security. If this fundamental issue is not addressed, all other rules in the field of outer space will be disrupted. Countries should adhere to the concept that “outer space warfare cannot be won or fought.” They should abandon the strategy of “dominating outer space” and refrain from engaging in “great power competition” or factional confrontation in outer space.
Secondly, there should be increased international efforts to negotiate and conclude treaties on space arms control. It has been proven that voluntary rules are ineffective in preventing the weaponization of outer space. The draft Treaty between China and Russia on Measures to Prevent the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space and the Use or Threat of Force Against Objects in Outer Space is currently the only legal instrument proposed for space arms control. Its core provisions, such as prohibiting the placement of weapons in outer space and prohibiting the use or threat of force against objects in outer space, can effectively prevent the weaponization and militarization of outer space from the root.
China welcomes all parties to discuss and improve the text of the PPWT, to make good use of the consensus report of the United Nations Expert Group on ‘Preventing an Arms Race in Outer Space’, and to support the work of the open-ended working group on ‘Comprehensive Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space’. China also supports contributing more substantive elements to legal instruments for outer space arms control.
Third, adhere to multilateral consultations and oppose double standards. Rules for outer space should be established jointly by all countries, and no small circles or exclusive arrangements should be established. International cooperation in the peaceful use of outer space should be actively promoted. Allowing the deployment of weapons in orbit on one side, while pursuing 'selective arms control' on the other, does nothing to maintain peace and security in outer space.
Fourth, emphasis should be placed on addressing emerging issues. Conduct in-depth research into the legal disputes and practical challenges posed by commercial space activities during armed conflicts in other countries. Explore feasible solutions through extensive consultations.
Previously, the US Space Force issued a statement on September 14, stating that it had deployed 'offensive and defensive' weapons in orbit. The US Space Force also emphasized the 'threat from China', claiming that China 'will develop and utilize space and anti-space capabilities as part of its military modernization strategy'.
In recent years, the United States has been committed to rapidly developing its space military capabilities. In December 2019, the U.S. officially established the Space Force, becoming the first new military branch since 1947. In July of this year, the U.S. Space Command released the "2040 Space Operations Environment" framework, aiming to maintain the U.S.'s enduring dominance in space and ensure that the military has the capabilities to deter and even defeat adversaries in future space conflicts.
Regarding the actions of the US side, Guo Jiakun, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated at a regular press conference on September 15 that China has always adhered to the peaceful use of outer space and the maintenance of outer space security. China opposes the weaponization of outer space, its militarization, and an arms race. China urges the US side to stop expanding military capabilities in outer space and to maintain global strategic stability through practical actions.
