When China destroyed an ageing satellite with a ballistic missile on January 11, the free world responded with a barrage of criticism amid concerns that the action had instigated a new "space race." Beijing's immediate response to the outcry was as usual—denial.
Beijing then issued a statement saying the act was part of a new policy of attempting to force the U.S. to abolish their billion-dollar space weapons programme. An odd way to push for change.
The provocative missile strike has revealed to the West that the Chinese Communist regime is not only in possession of highly sophisticated space technology, but that it is not shy to use it—even without any consideration for the consequences.
Based on computer models, as many as 300,000 pieces of debris may have been created when the ballistic missile struck the obsolete Chinese weather satellite, reported the San Francisco Chronicle.
The spray of metallic particles from the explosion could have not only damaged the International Space Station, but interfered with other space objects that control the satellite-guided weapons on Earth.
The action has not only angered defence analysts, but also reminded the world of the tense era when the USSR competed with U.S. for space supremacy. The last time an object was shot down in space was in 1985, when the U.S. destroyed one of its own satellites.
"It's unfortunate that China is going down this path," one U.S. administration official told the San Francisco Chronicle. "No one has done this in over 20 years and, in that time, international co-operation in space has come so far. It is a bustling commercial, scientific and research arena. This sort of thing is such a throwback to the Cold War."
No Prior Warning
Since the missile test, which has made China the third country to destroy an object in space behind only the U.S. and the USSR, experts are raising alarm bells over Beijing's continuous "under the wraps" tactics.
"They think they can do pretty much what they choose," said Dr. Paul Monk, the former head of China analysis in the Australian Defence Intelligence Organisation.
"The most alarming thing about it is that it was done without warning," he told The Epoch Times, "and the lack of transparency in the Chinese planning and military build-up and intentions is disturbing," he said, commenting that the missile launch indicates that Beijing is not yet operating as a responsible member of the international community.
Some Asia observers consider the space strike as the most provocative action since the People's Republic of China (PRC) test-fired missiles off the coast of Taiwan over a decade ago. The break-away island, with a population of just over 23 million, has sought independence from Mainland China since the Communists forcefully took power in 1949.
International Uproar
Not surprisingly, Taiwan was among the first to publicly denounce the satellite-destroying missile test, with Government spokesman Cheng Wen-tsan saying: "Deep in its bones, China wants to become a military superpower and dominate the region by force" reported the Taipei daily China Post .
Japan, South Korea and Australia are among the other regional nations openly criticising the PRC for carrying out the tests, and they also sought answers.
"The Government [has] sought an explanation about the Chinese Government's future plans for developing and deploying weapons systems with the capability of destroying space assets" the spokeswoman for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said, as reported by Sydney Morning Herald.
Canada and the UK have also joined the chorus deploring the surprise missile test.
Implications Are "Serious"
However, as the international community gets past the initial shock, the question remains: what implications do the PRC's action have?
Dr. Monk, also the author of Thunder From the Silent Zone: Rethinking China , thinks that the missile strike is a challenge to the United States' supremacy in space.
The U.S. currently owns or operates 443 of the 845 active satellites that orbit the planet-that is, 53 per cent. By contrast, China owns just 4 per cent.
"China sends a message that 'We intend to begin [being] taken seriously and if you don't sit and talk… we will put pressure [on]'" said Dr. Monk, adding "It's a very serious message."
He says the only difference, however, is that "it is possible to look into the military capabilities of Western powers, whereas you can not do it the same way with China." The concern is that it is not clear what exactly the PRC's intentions are.
As to what the long-term consequences will be, the China expert paints two possible scenarios.
"I think it's clear that we can expect for them to continue with the missile programme… at least until to the point where the U.S. engages in serious dialogue about some balance in that respect."
"In the worst case scenario they are going to continue to the point that they have the capacity to veto U.S. military actions [and then] put the screws on Taiwan."
"If they do go down that path, that can have very serious implications indeed."
Although it may be understandable that Beijing's rising economy may warrant its drive for greater military presence, Dr. Monk believes that the PRC's secrecy will do more harm than good. Such sentiments are echoes by other experts as well.
"This is the other face of China, the hard power side that they usually keep well hidden," said Chong-Pin Lin, an expert on China's military in Taiwan to The New York Times . "They talk more about peace and diplomacy, but the push to develop lethal, high-tech capabilities has not slowed down at all."
Irresponsible Use
It is this misuse, rather than mere possession, of sensitive technologies that has irked the U.S. and other Western powers. Indeed, the Chinese regime is known to supply weapons to some of the worst offenders.
Iran, for example, has been involved in a joint missile programme with the PRC for almost a decade. Information published by the anti-nuclear proliferation group Iran Watch suggests that Teheran has imported the Chinese Silk-worm missile and the more capable C-802 anti-ship missile. The later was used by Hezbollah guerrillas in the 2006 Lebanon war.
Last year Beijing revealed that it has the technology to shoot down satellites with a laser beam—something that unsettled the United States, which has more than a dozen intelligence-collecting satellites orbiting the Earth.
Western Powers Play Role
Putting criticism aside, what most democratic nations may best be considering is how to embrace a growing China, while also curbing its Cold War tactics.
One way is an attempt to dictate what it can and can't do, however, this is unlikely to work—the PRC is too big and has too much pride.
Another way is to implement a more restrictive trade regime, while applying greater political pressure to drive internal reforms. The key, says Dr. Monk, is to help Beijing see itself as an accepted, and for that reason, responsible member of the international community—one that has transparency and accountability.
"If we are vulnerable to economic pressure… it's not good for us. If China was to collapse it would be a serious problem", he commented.
It is for that reason that political reform is long overdue for the Communist regime.
While some people have broadcast China as "a great and powerful friend to replace the U.S.", many should exercise caution
"Until China is much like Japan, [and] becomes an integrated member of the international community with democratic policies… we should be very wary."
Feeds