China reacts after US deploys space unit in Japan
Dec 27, 2024
Beijing [China], December 27: China's Ministry of National Defense responded on December 26 after the US Space Force (USSF) deployed a unit in Japan for the first time.
Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang on December 26 accused the US of "continuing to expand its military space capabilities, strengthening military space alliances and inciting a space arms race," according to the South China Morning Post .
Zhang also said that the US actions have "endangered global strategic stability". "We urge the US to seriously reflect on its dangerous actions in the space field, stop provoking confrontations in space and stop spreading disinformation," Zhang stressed.
China opposes the militarization of outer space and is committed to peaceful activities there, Mr. Zhang said.
There is currently no information about the reaction of the US or Japan to Mr. Truong's above statement.
Earlier, the USSF launched a unit at Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo on December 4, with the aim of enhancing space defense and bilateral deterrence capabilities, according to Kyodo News. This is the first USSF unit deployed in Japan.
During the activation ceremony of the above unit, Brigadier General Anthony Mastalir, Commander of USSF in the Indo-Pacific, emphasized: "US Space Force Japan will serve as a focal point to enhance cooperation and synchronization between the US and Japan on national security issues."
The new USSF unit is expected to enhance Japan's space surveillance and missile warning capabilities by providing advice and expertise, while ensuring smooth coordination with the Japanese side.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Japanese counterpart Nakatani Gen confirmed the establishment of the USSF unit during a meeting last month in Australia, according to Kyodo News.
In 2022, a USSF unit was deployed to South Korea, as Washington and its allies seek to counter increasingly advanced technology deployed by China, Russia and North Korea, according to the South China Morning Post .
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
