China Confirms Anti-satellite Missile Test

China today broke its silence over reports it had tested an anti-satellite weapon, confirming it had done so but insisting it opposed any arms race in space.

Beijing had formally notified the US, Japan and other countries about the test, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told a news conference.

"What needs to be stressed is that China has always advocated the peaceful use of space, opposes the proliferation of weapons in space and an arms race in space," Mr Liu said.

"China has never participated and will never participate in any arms race in outer space ... This test was not directed at any country and does not constitute a threat to any country."

China had previously refused to comment on a White House statement last week that the country had fired a medium-range ballistic missile from the ground on January 11 to destroy an aging weather satellite more than 500 miles into space. It was the first such test since the cold war era.

Although there is no international agreement outlawing these tests, Washington halted its own in 1985 because of fears of damaging military and civilian satellites with large clouds of debris.

The Chinese test, a further sign of the country's increasing military capability, was especially troubling for the US because it exposed the vulnerability its low-orbiting satellites, which are used for military communications, smart bombs and surveillance.

Asked about China's delay in reporting the test, Mr Liu said: "China has nothing to hide. After various parties expressed concern we explained this test in outer space to them."