Beijing: China reiterated its opposition to arms race in outer space.
This came at a press conference held by spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry Zhao Lijian, in response to remarks by US Space Agency NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, in which he said that China's space program is a "military" space program.
The spokesperson stressed that China firmly opposes irresponsible remarks. China advocates the peaceful use of outer space, opposes the weaponization of an arms race in outer space, and calls for the building of a community with a shared future in outer space, Zhao said.
He stressed that China's exploration of outer space is to meet the legitimate needs of the country's economy, society, science and technology, and security. The development of China's aerospace industry is achieved independently, and its rights and achievements cannot be questioned or smeared, he added.
"We urge the US official to earnestly shoulder the responsibilities of a major country, seriously review and correct the negative words and deeds of the US side in outer space, and make due contributions to safeguarding sustained peace and security in outer space," Zhao said
