(ConservativeStar.com) – On October 10, 1967, the Outer Space Treaty came into force as a “non-armament” agreement that sought to keep space exploration limited to peaceful, scientific purposes. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) agreed to abide by it on December 30, 1983. Since then, things have gotten a little crowded in space, where the estimated number of satellites in orbit tops 4,550. The Communist country added another on October 24, with the launch of a Shijian-21.
Intentions?
Beijing’s stated purpose for the spacecraft is that it’s “tasked with demonstrating technologies to alleviate and neutralize space debris,” hence the nickname “satellite crusher.” One point of concern is how the PRC might define the last two words because, as the Gatestone Institute international policy think tank puts it, “as Beijing’s sees it, American satellites constitute ‘debris.'”
Obviously, anything that can manipulate and remove space junk could also be used to take out the orbital property of any other nation. General James Dickinson, commander of the United States Space Command (USSC), highlighted this danger in April when he testified before a congressional committee.
Furthermore, military sources have noted that China has field-tested both ground-based and space-based directed energy (laser) and electronic warfare anti-satellite weapons. A recent Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) report says China (and Russia) view the “final frontier” as absolutely vital to a potential war in the modern world. Although America’s Space Force, initiated by President Donald Trump, was mocked by Liberals, the document also says both countries developed policies emphasizing that point in 2015.
Compliance With Other Treaties
The US Department of State prepares annual reports detailing the adherence to specific agreements for countries worldwide, the latest report released in April 2021. This year’s study looked at how well countries adhered to their promise to ban nuclear testing and the control of “missile proliferation.”
One concern focused on the PRC’s Lop Nur nuclear weapons test site and the lack of transparency on activities there, and the decision to begin running it throughout the year. Beijing had also made an agreement not to help any country develop nuclear-capable ballistic missiles. However, the United States sanctioned eight Chinese entities for transferring such technology to the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Everybody has heard the voice-over warnings on any commercial regarding stock and bond trading that says something along the lines of, regardless of what may have happened before one should not always anticipate similar success. A similar warning may apply to how a particular country approaches its promises. When one’s literal survival hangs in the balance, can anyone afford to assume the other guy will play nice?
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