China Finally Acknowledges Missile Launch

Government officials in Beijing China, have finally announced that they did indeed launch an anti-satellite missile into space on January 12. Speculation and concern about the incident has been growing for the last thirteen days regarding the unexpected event.

The United States and Japan have been particularly persistent in pressing for both acknowledgment and details. In its statement, China pledged that it did not intend to participate in an arms race in space.

As recently as last Friday, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao refused to confirm the missile test. Today he confirmed the testing and stated that the US and certain other countries had been informed. He further insisted that China had nothing to hide, but refused to give a reason for the delay in the public announcement.

Liu was quoted by the South China Morning Post as saying, "...China has never participated in and will never participate in any arms race in outer space. This test was not directed at any country and does not pose a threat to any country."

The United States reported last week that it had observed China had shot down one of its own aging weather satellites, but had no reason for the action. One mainland observer speculated that it may have been a warning to Taiwan. Taiwan's relations with mainland China remain strained.

Japan said it was not satisfied with Mr Liu's comments. The Japanese government has been applying diplomatic pressure on Beijing to release more details.

"The destruction of a satellite by a ballistic missile ... raises great concerns in our country from the viewpoint of the safe use of outer space, as well as national security," Agence France-Presse quoted Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki as saying.

It is not clear if China's president, Hu Jintao was fully aware of the test.