So much for Beijing’s past pronouncements about the exclusively peaceful use of outer space. Days ago, the commander of China’s Air Force, Commander General Xu Qiliang, made a number of comments that have created a genuine tumult amongst defense analysts and China watchers.
According to Malaysia’s Straits Times, with some additional quotes from the People’s Daily, General Xu said in part:
“Competition between military forces is developing toward sky and space, beyond the atmosphere and even into outer space. This development is a historic inevitability and cannot be reversed … There are no borders in the sky or in space. Only power can protect peace. … We will improve our overall capability to strike long-distance targets with high precision flight electronics.”
General Xu goes on to say that the role of the Air Force must expand from exclusively protecting national security to keeping peace in the region and around the world – a sign, according to Malaysian analysts quoted in the story, that this is a “turning point in China’s military posture.”
November 4, 2009
Malaysia – The Straights Times – Home Page (English)
BEIJING: PLA Air Force Commander General Xu Qiliang has declared publicly for the first time China’s plans to put weapons in space and add emphasis to the Air Force’s offensive capabilities. As the Chinese Air Force becomes increasingly self-confident, analysts say that this signals a turning point in Beijing’s military posture.On Sunday, General Xu told the PLA Daily that the Air Force would extend its reach “from the sky to space, and from the defense of Chinese territory to attack as well.” He went on to say that Beijing has decided to change its approach since, “China’s national interests are expanding and the country has entered the Space Age.”
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