US Golden Dome harms stability, raises space arms race risk: China
The United States’ $175 billion Golden Dome missile defense system project has come under fire from China, with the country criticizing the system for violating the principle of peaceful use of outer space and increasing the risks of space militarization and an arms race.
According to a statement released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the Golden Dome system is a clear example of the United States pursuing its own interests at the expense of global security and stability. “The US pursues an ‘America First’ policy, which means it prioritizes its own interests over the principle of undiminished security for all countries,” the statement read.
The Chinese government is concerned that the Golden Dome system, which is designed to protect the US from potential missile attacks, will create a new era of space-based missile defense systems, heightening the risks of space militarization and an arms race. “This jeopardises global strategic balance and stability,” the statement added.
The Golden Dome system, which is still in its development stages, is expected to be one of the most advanced missile defense systems in the world, capable of detecting and destroying incoming missiles in space. While the US government claims that the system is necessary to protect its citizens and allies from the growing threat of ballistic missiles, China argues that it is a threat to global security and stability.
China is not alone in its concerns about the Golden Dome system. Many experts and international organizations have also expressed concerns about the potential risks of space militarization and the arms race it could trigger. The United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) has repeatedly called on countries to refrain from weaponizing space and to work towards international agreements to prevent the militarization of space.
The Golden Dome system is not the only space-based missile defense system being developed by the US. The country is also working on other projects, such as the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS), which is designed to detect and track ballistic missiles in space. China has also been developing its own space-based missile defense system, known as the Space-Based Surveillance System (SBSS).
The development of space-based missile defense systems is a complex and controversial issue. While the US government claims that these systems are necessary to protect its citizens and allies from the growing threat of ballistic missiles, critics argue that they could create a new era of space-based arms races and increase the risks of space militarization.
In recent years, there have been several instances of space-based missile defense systems being tested and deployed around the world. In 2019, the US and South Korea conducted a joint missile defense exercise, which included the use of space-based sensors to detect and track ballistic missiles. In 2020, Russia conducted a series of tests of its own space-based missile defense system, which included the use of satellites to detect and track ballistic missiles.
As the development of space-based missile defense systems continues to accelerate, the risks of space militarization and an arms race become increasingly clear. China’s criticism of the Golden Dome system is a warning to the international community that the development of these systems must be done in a way that prioritizes global security and stability.
In conclusion, the US Golden Dome missile defense system project is a significant concern for China and the international community. The system’s development and deployment could trigger a new era of space-based arms races and increase the risks of space militarization. The international community must work together to prevent this from happening and to ensure that space is used for peaceful purposes only.
