China warns US over ‘weaponization of space’ after deployment confirmed

China has responded to the confirmation related to deployment of weapons in the Earth’s orbit coming from US Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink.

On Tuesday, Beijing urged Washington to stop preparing for war in outer space after the US Space Force confirmed that it had deployed “on-orbit” weapons for the first time.

"The United States now has on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending the joint force against hostile adversary action," he adds.

During a news briefing, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson slammed the US for deploying offensive capabilities in space, leading to “weaponization of outer space and turning it into a battlefield as well as an arms race there.

"We urge the US side to stop expanding its military capabilities and preparing for war in outer space," ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun added.

The US Space Force has identified China as a security threat, highlighting Beijing’s military modernization strategy, which includes the development of advanced space and counterspace capabilities.

The US Space Force says on its website, “China develops and operates space and counterspace capabilities as part of a military modernization strategy.” Besides China, it also named Russia as a growing threat in space.

Several military officials have repeatedly warned that two countries are striving to build new offensive space capabilities. China is also developing a nuclear capable partial-orbit hypersonic missile.

The Outer Space Treaty in 1967 bans weapons of mass destruction in orbit but countries are exploring other ways to expand their foothold in space.