Posted on 08/02/2006 7:10:14 AM PDT by presidio9
Outer space is emerging as a possible theater of operations for China's armed forces, an analysis published in the mass-circulation People's Daily said.
The analysis, authored by a group of unnamed researchers at the National Defense University, listed space as an area where the People's Liberation Army must be equipped and prepared to defend the nation's interests.
"Our military should not only protect China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity, but should also protect the oceans and transport routes and other economic interests as well as ... the security of space," it said.
Similar suggestions were put forward last month in the Study Times, a newspaper published by the Communist Party's Central Party School.
"We should strive to develop coordinated land, sea, air and space systems," the paper said.
This seemed to mark a departure from previous strategic literature in China, which has tended to give space a less prominent place in the nation's defense planning.
The most recent government white paper on defense published in late 2004 only made scattered references to space and did not characterize it as a possible battleground for its armed forces.
China instead used the white paper to urge efforts to prevent an expensive arms race in space.
"Outer space is the common property of mankind," the 2004 white paper stated.
"China hopes that the international community would take action as soon as possible to conclude an international legal instrument on preventing the weaponization of, and arms race in, outer space through negotiations."
The Chicomms would only want such an accord on the "weaponization of space", so, that everyone else would adhere to it...while they don't, in order to close the technology gap.
Oh well...as long as Japan has MOTHRA...no worries. :-)
"Space is the common property of mankind - weaponization of space should be prevented"
Bullsh!t - this ideological "peace in space" is only presented by those who need time to 'catch up.' Because you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that's exactly what they are trying to do.
China is a communist country that beleives that most things are common property. However, to them common property is another way of saying government property.
Saying that weaponizing space should be prevented through legal and diplomatic means is a politically universal way of saying that since they are not in a position to control space militarily at this point, they want to use political means to prevent anyone else from gaining an upper hand before they are ready to weaponize space themselves. Preferably they would delay the efforts of others until after they have weaponized space themselves and have the upper hand.
If you are losing the race, slowing the competition is often easier than speeding yourself up, especially if they are far ahead.
"Outer space is the common property of mankind,"
Space is pretty damn big there Mr. Mao.
Any ownership of it is only existant in the conceit of the human mind.
But if anyone is going to dominate strategic exploitation of earth orbit. It will always be the United States.
"earth orbit isn't in "outer space."
Since when????
outer space
n.
Any region of space beyond limits determined with reference to the boundaries of a celestial body or system, especially:
The region of space immediately beyond Earth's atmosphere.
Interplanetary or interstellar space.
Where does ‘outer space’ begin?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5287945/
The term "outer space" seems dated anyways along with fins on Caddies.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.