China's Launch Was First Declared ASAT Test in Over Twenty Years

wrote in message
oups.com...

One interesting aspect of this is that, as of this writing, China
*hasn't* declared the test.

Now they have:


I get the paper a day in advance~



http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6289519.stm

China confirms satellite downed
Last Updated: Tuesday, 23 January 2007, 10:52 GMT
[EXCERPT]

China has confirmed it carried out a test that destroyed a satellite,
in a move that caused international alarm.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said a test had been carried
out but insisted China was committed to the "peaceful development of
outer space".

The US backed reports last week that China had used a ground-based
medium-range ballistic missile to destroy a weather satellite.

A senior Taiwanese politician said he viewed it as an aggressive act.

It is the first known satellite intercept test for more than 20 years.

Several countries, including Japan, Australia and the US, have
expressed concern at the test, amid worries it could trigger a space
arms race.

Until Tuesday, China had refused to confirm or deny the 11 January
test.

International concern

Liu Jianchao told reporters that China had notified "other parties
and... the American side" of its test.

Test sparks space arms fears

"But China stresses that it has consistently advocated the peaceful
development of outer space and it opposes the arming of space and
military competition in space," he told a news conference.

"China has never, and will never, participate in any form of space arms
race."