China Warns U.S. Golden Dome Could Ignite an Arms Race in Outer Space

China issued a strong warning on Thursday against the United States’ advancement of the so-called Golden Dome system and recent moves toward deploying weapons in outer space. During a press conference in Beijing, Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, asserted that these actions severely raise the risk of sparking an unprecedented space arms race.

According to Zhang, the continued development and planned deployment of the Golden Dome—a U.S.-led initiative for space-based defense—directly violates critical provisions of the Outer Space Treaty. The treaty, to which both China and the U.S. are signatories, promotes the peaceful use of outer space and explicitly prohibits placing weapons of mass destruction in orbit or on celestial bodies.

“The U.S. actions will once again open Pandora’s box,” Zhang said firmly during the briefing. He emphasized, “This proves again that no country has done more than the United States in militarizing the space and making it a battlefield.” He expressed grave concerns that the current trajectory set by U.S. policy could destabilize the delicate balance maintained in space exploration and utilization.

Highlighting the broader implications for global security and strategic stability, Zhang called on the United States to immediately halt its expansion of military capabilities in outer space. He urged Washington to demonstrate responsibility and take substantial measures to ensure outer space remains a domain dedicated to peaceful cooperation rather than military competition.

China’s remarks arrive amid growing international debate about the future conduct of nations in space and increasing calls for renewed dialogue on legally binding agreements to prevent the weaponization of space. The statements underscore Beijing’s position that outer space should not become the next arena for geopolitical rivalry, but rather, remain a realm for collective progress and security.