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I'm just kind of bemused when I see headlines about governments reacting with "furry" over something like this. As I understand it we've had anti-satellite capabilities for more than twenty years. We also rely heavily on satellites for intelligence and our awesome weapons systems. I would think any country, especially one with a tenuous relationship with us, would be wise to have anti-satellite weapons. That's just common sense. For the Chinese to say this is some sort of "peaceful" program is laughable, but for us to get all upset about this strikes me as a little hypocritical. We're going to do pretty much whatever it takes to protect ourselves, develop whatever weapons we deem necessary, and while we'll play the game a little, when push comes to shove we'll do what we think is in our best interests when it comes to weapons development. I'm not surprised that other nations do the same. That's a responsibility of governments. They're supposed to be prepared to defend us.

Does China have expansionist aims? I don't know. I'm no expert on China. They really haven't invaded any countries that I know of in a long time. They have their problems with Tibet and Mongolia and other regions of their country not firmly under the central government's control. They make a claim to Taiwan, but haven't invaded yet and I kind of doubt that's coming anytime in the next few years at least. I don't know that they'll ever invade Taiwan. I think a lot of their bluff and bluster with respect to Taiwan is really intended to dissuade other regions from trying to break away from the People's Republic. I think they really worry about that and feel like that if they show a lot of weakness on Taiwan they'll have problems with secessionists in Tibet, Mongolia, and some of the wealthier regions in southern China. I think a bigger worry for them is keeping control of what they have rather than trying to expand their borders.