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Agence France-Presse

The US on Tuesday accused China and Russia of raising the risk of conflict in space, notably by developing anti-satellite weapons, as diplomats held talks on a treaty to keep space peaceful.
The closed-door negotiations in Geneva involving experts from 25 governments – including the US, China and Russia – are aimed at laying the groundwork for a legally-binding text to prevent an arms race in outer space.
Beijing and Moscow pushed for the discussions that run through March 28, which experts have said may show results despite the grim climate for disarmament diplomacy.

But addressing the United Nations Conference on Disarmament, US assistant secretary of state Yleem Poblete questioned whether China and Russia were sincerely committed to the talks.
Poblete accused Beijing of developing a range of anti-satellite capabilities, including jammers and ground-based missiles intended to target “low-Earth-orbit satellites”.
Given that, “it is difficult to determine the truthfulness of China’s concern about the prevention of an arms race in space”, she said.
Truning to Russia, Poblete asked: “How can we believe [Russia is] serious about preventing an arms race in outer space when they are the ones that are developing ground-launched anti-satellite weapons?”

She also accused Russia of trying to develop lasers that could “blind or damage satellites”.
Poblete, of the State Department’s arms control bureau, spoke as the US took over the rotating presidency at the Conference on Disarmament. The space peace talks are being held in a different venue in Geneva.
US President Donald Trump has called for the creation of a new military branch devoted exclusively to space, with the Pentagon submitting a proposal to Congress earlier this month.

Trump’s “Space Force” call and his declaration that Washington considered space a “war-fighting domain”, has raised widespread concern.
But experts have noted that the three major powers – and all seafaring nations – have a lot to lose if the ongoing negotiations collapse, given the increasing importance of satellite technology in both civilian and military affairs.
The negotiations being led by Brazil’s ambassador to the Conference on Disarmament, Guilherme de Aguiar Patriota, will only produce a report if all nations reach consensus on its content.
He said he hopes the sides will agree on “elements” that could form the basis of a future, legally-binding treaty.


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Defence

US accuses China and Russia of undermining space peace push

President Donald Trump after signing a Space Policy Directive during a National Space Council meeting in the East Room at the White House on Monday, June 18. MUST CREDIT: Washington Post photo by Jabin Botsford.

US assistant secretary of state Yleem Poblete Photo: Twitter

ÒSilent HunterÓ (pix - https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/774268/Defence-China-US-Laser-Weapon-Tank-Slicing-Defence-Abu-Dhabi) A vehicle-based laser weapon system, whose laser power is between 30-100KW with a maximum range 4km. Its laser beam can cut through a 5mm-thick steel board from 1km away, or 5 layers of 2mm-thick steel boards from 800m away, according to its developer, Poly Group. The system was used at the G20 Summit in Hangzhou in 2016 to clear up drones from the sky. It was officially revealed in 2016 Johannesburg Air Exhibition and 2017 Abu Dhabi International Defence Exhibition.

An F-15A firing an anti-satellite missile in September 1985. Photo: US Air Force

China moves a big step closer to ‘Star Wars’ laser weapons

No Caption Available.

A new laser cannon, which has been developed by Chinese scientists. Photo: SCMP Pictures

US fears PLA anti-satellite laser weapons

Lethal laser weapon deployed on USS Ponce in Persian Gulf

The laser weapon can blast drones out of the sky. Photo: AFP

China in race for counter-drone tech and laser weapons as it tries to catch up with US

The developer of counter-drone system Silent Hunter said its beam can cut through five layers of 2mm-thick steel plates from a distance of 800m, or 5mm plates from 1km away. Photo: Handout

A DJI Inspire 1 Pro drone is flown during a demonstration at the SZ DJI Technology Co. headquarters as passersby look on in Shenzhen, China, on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. DJI, the world's largest maker of small civilian drones, said it's in discussions with Chinese government officials keen to gain access to the trove of data its airborne devices siphon up via its app. Photographer: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg ORG XMIT: 631648907

scmp

The Silent Hunter laser is powerful enough to cut through light vehicle armor at up to a kilometer away, making you wonder if China already has more powerful laser weapons only for domestic use. Photo: Huanqiu

Smog is China’s top defence against US laser weapons, says PLA Navy admiral

PLA Navy Major Admiral Zhang Zhaozhong speaks to CCTV on top defence against laser weaponry (inset). Photos: AP, SCMP

PLA Navy Major Admiral Zhang Zhaozhong speaks to CCTV. Photo: SCMP

US Navy sailors practice firing out to sea aboard the USS Ponce during 2012 war drills in the Persian Gulf. The ship has since been fitted with a laser weapon. Photo: AP

Visitors are silhouetted against thick smog at the peak of Jingshan Park near the Forbidden City in Beijing. Photo: Reuters

An electronic board reminds drivers of an anti-pollution scheme in Tianjin. Photo: Xinhua 

US accuses China and Russia of undermining space peace push

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} Comment came as China, Russia and US joined space peace talks in Geneva

Comment came as China, Russia and US joined space peace talks in Geneva