China experts warn of expanding space arms race

By Chris Buckley

BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese military experts have warned of an expanding arms race in outer space as Beijing and other rival powers seek to counter U.S. ambitions to dominate the heavens.

The United States and other Western nations have criticized China's efforts to build a presence in space, especially a test in January 2007 when it shot down one of its own aged satellites.

But in a book issued by the state-run China Arms Control and Disarmament Association, two People's Liberation Army experts said Washington's bid for enduring security domination in outer space was pressing Beijing and other powers into competition, even confrontation.

"Strategic confrontation in outer space is difficult to avoid. The development of outer space forces shows signs that a space arms race to seize the commanding heights is emerging," wrote Wu Tianfu of the Second Artillery Corps Command College. The Corps controls China's nuclear arsenal.

"We can say that weaponization of outer space ... is already unstoppable."

Chinese diplomats have repeatedly said they want stronger international rules to avoid an expensive and destabilizing arms race in space. But the PLA analyses suggest that at least some in China's military take a bleak view of prospects for such efforts and believe their country must get ready for escalating rivalry.

"In the not too distant future, outer space will certainly become a stage for struggle between countries," wrote Xu Nengwu of China's National Defense Science and Technology University. He nonetheless called for urgent efforts to halt the weapon zing of space.

"The shared ideals or moral norms needed to bring about cooperation in outer space security are very difficult to form in a short time," Xu added.