Chinese Defense Ministry Warns Against U.S. Missile Defense System's Space Militarization

A spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense expressed strong opposition to the United States' proposed Golden Dome missile defense system, highlighting the potential dangers of escalating military activities in space. During a recent press briefing, Zhang Xiaogang voiced concerns that the U.S. ambitions to equip itself with space-based weaponry and increase its military footprint could violate essential principles of the Outer Space Treaty and complicate global arms control efforts.

Zhang emphasized that these developments may lead to a new arms race in space, describing the situation as opening "Pandora's box." He claimed that the U.S. is largely responsible for the ongoing militarization of outer space, significantly contributing to the risk of transforming it into a battlefield. The Chinese government has called on the U.S. to restrain its military expansion in this domain and take meaningful actions to maintain strategic stability worldwide. This statement came in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement on May 20 of plans to establish the Golden Dome missile defense system aimed at protecting the country against various types of missiles, including those originating from space.