China space (anti-sattelite) missile - Fair or not?

Question

So now China has got a new missile that can shoot down space sattelites. I'd say it's pretty reasonable. Why would China let the US and Europe have total control in space? Notice that this is a defence measure, like the US install anti-missile equipment and plan to install laser weapons in sattelites in space "for protection"...
But in the news all we see is complaints about China. What's your opinion?

Answer 1

As a former military servicemen in the American Armed forces, I'm going to say that China made a fair move in this world chess game of arms races.

Weapons of one type of destruction or another are - at best - potential deterrents of unforeseen future actions by the various world powers.

If we, the Americans, build up an anti-missile defense system then it is, by their rights, fine for foriegn powers to also build up theirs.

But what is the use? New weapons of devastation are always on the horizon. So long as these are not used for ill purposes humanity as a whole will continue on. My only fear is that some madman like Pres. Bush will go too far some day soon.

Once again, it was a fair move by China.

Answer 2

The Chinese simply intended to replace their aging satellite in space. So they launched a missile to knock-out this old satellite, and then to launch a newer satellite in its orbit. The U.S. had been replacing its old satellites by the same method. So what's wrong when the Chinese uses this method?. Remember that the U.S. is not the sole owner of space. Any country is free to put and remove their satellites in space, if they have the technology to do so. The majority of satellites currently orbiting in space belongs to the U.S.. Yet, no country complained when they were launched or removed from their orbits.

What was said in the news was so biased isn't it?. It says in part, "under a space policy authorized by President Bush in August, the United States asserts a right to freedom of action in space and it will deter others from either impeding those rights or developing capabilities intended to do so."

If China wanted the same rights, then why would the U.S. feel threatened and complain about it?.

If someday, the U.S. would build a military base on the moon, what right does it have to prevent other foreign powers from doing the same?.

As to one of the above respondent's claim of Chinese tanks running over students. Well that's true enough. But the U.S. had its own dirt too. Remember the Kent State massacre in Ohio during the 70's. when the National Guard indiscriminately opened fire on a crowd of students protesting against the Vietnam War, killing some students and wounding many others?.

Answer 3

Whenever ANYBODY tests a weapon...
Whether it be an anti satellite missile in the case of China.
Or a missile defense system on the part of us(U.S.A).....
there is going to be squawking.
Hooray for the Glorious Peoples Republic of China. We did the same thing 20 years ago

from link
Only two nations — the Soviet Union and the United States — have previously destroyed spacecraft in anti satellite tests, most recently the United States in the mid-1980s.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/01/19/asia/web.0119chinatest.php

Answer 4

They do certainly have anti-deliver missiles. although, that is unlikely they could sink an plane provider with one(an American one a minimum of) as provider conflict communities have Cruisers with their own missiles to shoot them down.

Answer 5

By "news", you must be referring to the heavily pro-American/western news outlets. Please do yourself a favor and get your news from new networks that are based abroad, because it will give you a better picture of what is really going on in the world.

It is China's prerogative if it wants to build up its defense forces to counter the United States' utter domination of world military power.

Answer 6

Bringing this war into space would raise an eyebrow, especially considering the dependence the world has in communication satelites, GPS etc.

Answer 7

i think the americans want to mimic the china's laser thing weapon in c&c so thats why the china is complaining USA for copying things i guess?

Answer 8

It seems like a hostile move to me. Very few nations use satellites, the US being one of them (like 2 or 3). So if the US are neutral to allied with them, it seems a bit awkward to make something to blow something of theirs up when they thought they were getting along fine. So I think that's why the US is voicing a concern.

Answer 9

All is fair in love ans war

Answer 10

I guess the difference is, the U.S. hasn't run over its own college students with tanks - yet.