In space, China’s focus still on defence, says Shenzhou veteran
- In 2007, China used a kinetic kill vehicle to destroy one of its weather satellites, drawing criticism from the US
- Space expert visiting Hong Kong says China’s lunar programme is open to cooperation with other nations
China has continued to conduct experiments to strengthen its defences in space since its first anti-satellite missile tests in 2007, according to a veteran Chinese space scientist.
“[China’s] sovereignty is inviolable. [We] must have the ability to defend it … While we kept a low profile in 2007 when we shot down one of our dysfunctional weather satellites by missile, the Americans have made a lot of noise about it.
“We have continued our experiments since 2007. This is what any country should do in safeguarding sovereignty [in space],” he said without giving further details.
On January 11, 2007, China used a kinetic kill vehicle launched with a multistage solid-fuel missile from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre to destroy one of its weather satellites at an altitude of 865km (537 miles) above Earth. The Chinese foreign ministry said it had formally notified the US, Japan and other countries about the strike in advance.
