Caught the news the other day that China launched a ballistic missile into space to shoot down an aging weather satellite. Apparently, the missile managed to travelled up to 850 km and stirke the satellite precisely. After news of this test got out, the USA and others predictably issued statements about how they are against space militarilism and their fears of how an arms race to develop such weapons could be escalted. The Chinese replied that The funny thing is that before China launched the missile, the USA and the former Soviet Union were the only powers that had the capability to launch anti-satellite weapons. Now that the Cold War is over, the United States are, arugably, the only super power to have the capacity to release such weapons. Furthermore, the Space Preservation Act, which is essentially a bill to prohibit space weapons from being developed and launched into space, was introduced to the United States House of Representative 4 times, but each time, the bill died down and was not able to be implemented. So I feel that it is really quite ironic and frankly pathetic that Uncle Sam is makng a big fuss about China shooting down an aging satellite when the US itself has these weapons.

Japan and India issuing protests is quite understandable, considering the past and the ecnomic competition between them. However, I feel that this shouldn't really be an issue to them, because firstly, the most important issues facing China are domestic situations such as an overheating economy, an increasing income disparity and the development of the rural areas to catch up to he coastal cities. Furthermore, the Communist Party is also quite concerned on weeding out corruption (although that will be very hard to achieve in the foreseeable future). Environmental problems are also high on a list of concerns of the Chinese government, partly due to the coming Olympics and the high costs that come with the damage of the environment. In terms of foreign affairs, the Chinese government would be more concerned with developments in Taiwan and North Korea, and there's no reason to antagonise the Western world. An increasingly protentionist Congress, which is making an issue of the wideing trade deficit with China and pretty pissed about it, is another reason why China will not want to ruffle feathers with the USA unnecessary.

Thus, although the laest missile test by the Chinese is a sign of its military powress, it shouldn't be a major concern, as China has far more pressing issues to contend with.