China Urges the US to Halt Military Buildup in Outer Space
Date: 15 September 2026
By: Yasin Gungor and Riyaz ul Khaliq
On September 15, 2026, China called for the United States to cease its military expansion in outer space after the U.S. confirmed the deployment of operational weapons in orbit for the first time.
China’s Stance
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun emphasized China’s commitment to the peaceful use of outer space, opposing any arms race or weaponization of this domain. Guo urged the U.S. to take concrete actions to ensure global strategic stability.
U.S. Acknowledgment
The call from China follows remarks by U.S. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink, who stated that the Space Force has operational weapons capable of addressing adversarial threats. During the Air, Space, and Cyber Conference, Meink underscored the necessity for readiness against evolving threats, affirming that these capabilities are vital for national defense.
While details about the weapons—such as their nature, capabilities, or whether they employ kinetic or directed energy systems—were not disclosed, Meink noted that the acknowledgment was strategic, aimed at reinforcing deterrence against potential adversaries.
Military Competition in Space
The announcement highlights the intensifying military competition among the U.S., China, and Russia, with all three nations developing counter-space capabilities. The 1967 Outer Space Treaty prohibits the positioning of nuclear weapons in space but does not ban conventional weaponry.
Security analysts caution that the U.S. public acknowledgment of orbital weapons might provoke other nations to enhance their own military capabilities, potentially igniting an arms race in an increasingly critical domain for military and economic security.
