Once China realized it could not prevent other countries developing ABM systems, it decided to build the ground-based midrange ABM technology that has just been tested. However, compared with the U.S. which has far more advanced capabilities in missile attack and defence, the success China has achieved does not yet ensure its total safety.

China has been consistent in its pragmatic attitude towards matters concerning its national security: when a weapons technology that threatens its security appears, China will first appeal to the international society for a ban, and if unsuccessful, will develop its own capabilities. This is the stance China takes on ballistic missile defence technology as well as on nuclear weapons.

As regards the issue of anti-satellite (ATST) missiles, China also abides by this rule. The U.S. conducted ATST warfare tests earlier than any other country and the results directly undermined the safety of other countries' space vehicles. The US ATST ability threatens other countries' communications and remote command and control systems, and was fiercely opposed by both China and Russia. But taking its own safety into consideration, the U.S. will not abandon this capability, which in turn has forced China to develop its own systems in order to maintain the balance of power in outer space.

Three years ago, also on January 11, China successfully tested an ATST missile for the first time. China didn't voluntarily announce that test but later confirmed reports that it had taken place. But regarding the latest test, official reports appeared before those in the foreign media. This is a sign of China's increasing transparency about military affairs.

Whether or not this announcement is intended as a riposte to US weapons sales to Taiwan, the entire Chinese nation can agree that so long as China feels it is under threat, it should build sophisticated military offensive and defensive systems, including a mature missile defense network. A major difference between socialist China and other countries is that China restricts itself to developing limited offensive capabilities and has promised not to launch wars against other countries; but this does not mean China will merely criticize other countries' military programs without developing its own.

The author is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.ccgp-fushun.com/opinion/node_7082361.htm

(This article was translated by Maverick Chen.)