Space bully slapped

According to Aviation Week & Space Technology (Chinese Test Anti-Satellite Weapon), a Chinese intermediate ballistic missile on January 12 (Chinese time) destroyed an obsolete Chinese Feng Yun 1C polar orbit weather satellite, which was launched in 1999. China had every right to conduct this military test and did not break any international treaty or law. China did not comment on, nor confirm the test, but let's assume it's true (after all, American intelligence cannot lie all the time).

Imperial and neo-colonialist powers like the U.S., Britain, Australia and Japan immediately whipped up a diplomatic storm. The U.S. is dependent on about 200 military satellites, which are its eyes (for reconnaissance), ears (to communicate) and hands (to guide satellite-guided bombs). Now China can damage that capability. That's why the White House and the Pentagon are mad.

Let's first check-out the rubbish published in the world's press in the past few days:
+ “China is the rogue state par excellence” (The Guardian: Dire straits in the East China Sea)
+ “The Chinese military showed its true colors” and “the missile test represents grotesque carelessness on the part of the Chinese” (Taipei Times: China's missile tests the US) The Taipei Times' editorial also lamented that Washington did not retaliate “over Beijing's misuse of space technology”.
+ “China's most provocative military action since it testfired missiles off the coast of Taiwan more than a decade ago” (The New York Times: China Shows Assertiveness in Weapons Test)
+ “China, in an alarming exhibition of its military muscle” (The Financial Times: China sets off a new round of Star Wars)

But the BBC's Rob Watson had to acknowledge that “on the issue of space weapons, the US certainly risks the charge of hypocrisy”. It is Ronald Reagan who in 1983 proposed the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), also called 'Star Wars'. It is the U.S. which spent most on the militarization of outer space. The U.S. and the then Soviet Union already destroyed orbiting satellites in the 1980s, not once, but more than a dozen times. Why would China not be allowed to so to show that it can also play ball?

“Testing of such weapons is inconsistent with the spirit of cooperation,” lamented U.S. National Security spokesman Gordon Johndroe. Would he have said the same if it was a U.S. test? Of course not, that would only be to “protect the national security interests of the United States”. Is China not allowed to protect its own national security interests?

The destruction of the satellite caused thousands of pieces of debris to be dispersed in space, which could endanger other satellite. That is deplorable, but you cannot make an omelet without breaking eggs. It is unacceptable that the U.S. monopolizes the making of the omelets. If eggs have to be broken to end that monopoly, let it be so. (While Russia can also knock out satellites, it does not have such disproportionate capabilities of waging war as the U.S.)

China again solemnly reiterated it was opposed to the use of weapons in space and that it will not participate in any arms race in outer space. If the U.S. and some other countries are so concerned about this test, they can join China in signing an international treaty prohibiting the use of space for military purposes. That includes using a satellite to guide a nuclear armed ICBM to its target. But the U.S. is opposed to such a treaty because it wants to be the only nation which can use space to wage war.

China has demonstrated that it can destroy American satellites in orbit. That makes the world a safer place. The U.S. is acting as if it owns space. It can do whatever it likes and prevents any other country to do whatever it doesn't like. Ever heard of the schoolyard bully? China slapped it in the face.

The Emperor (U.S.) may look strong, but the Jedi (China) will prevail.