China has warned the United States to stop preparing for war in outer space after Washington publicly confirmed that it has operational weapons in orbit.The announcement came on September 14, when U.S. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said the Space Force now has “on-orbit space control weapons” capable of defending U.S. forces against hostile actions. He did not reveal how many weapons are deployed, when they became operational or exactly how they work.China responded the next day. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Beijing opposes turning space into a battlefield or starting an arms race there.“We urge the US side to stop expanding its military capabilities and preparing for war in outer space,” Guo said.Meink also refused to say whether the weapons use physical impact, directed energy, electronic warfare or cyber capabilities. He said discussing the details would not help U.S. military deterrence.The disclosure came as U.S. military leaders are openly preparing for possible combat beyond Earth’s orbit. Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said U.S. forces need to be prepared to fight in space, including the region between Earth and the Moon known as cislunar space.
The U.S. Space Force was created in 2019 and now plans to expand to about 25,000 personnel over the next five years, with increased attention on combat capabilities in space.The exact nature of America’s orbital weapons remains secret. The United States says its space capabilities are intended to protect its forces and respond to threats, while China says the buildup risks turning space into a battlefield and triggering an arms race.
Joseph Akwagiobe is a media contributor from Cross River State, Nigeria, currently based in Abuja. He is a graduate of Microbiology and has earned several professional certifications across diverse fields, reflecting his commitment to continuous learning, professional growth, and excellence.