China calls on the US to stop deploying space weapons and warns of an arms race in orbit

China called on the United States on Tuesday to stop deploying military capabilities in space and abandon preparations for a potential war in orbit. Beijing’s reaction comes after the US confirmed, for the first time, that the US military has armed “space control” systems deployed in orbit.

“We urge the US side to stop deploying its military capabilities and cease preparing for a war in space,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun. He warned of an arms race and the transformation of space into a battlefield.

The US Space Force announced on Monday that the systems in question can be used for both offensive and defensive purposes, to protect US forces against hostile actions. Washington claims that Beijing and Moscow are also developing space and counter-space capabilities.

The militarization of space dates back to the early days of space exploration. The Outer Space Treaty, signed in 1967, prohibits weapons of mass destruction in Earth’s orbit, but does not cover all modern military operations. The US, China, Russia, and India are developing technologies capable of affecting satellites essential for communications, surveillance, and navigation.