China on May 21 urged the US to abandon the development of the Golden Dome missile defence system, saying it “undermines global strategic balance and stability”.
“China expresses serious concern over this issue. We call on the United States to abandon the development and deployment of a global missile defence system as soon as possible,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a press briefing.
She said the US plans “raise the risk of turning space into a battlefield and fuelling an arms race.”
US President Donald Trump the previous day announced $25 billion for the project, which he said could cost about $175 billion and be operational in about three years.
“Once fully built,” the gold dome “will be able to intercept missiles, even if they are launched from other parts of the world, and even if they are launched from space,” Trump said.
The US president appointed US Space Force General Michael Gatline to lead the programme and also said Canada wants to join the project. Canadian authorities have not yet commented.
Earlier, Trump signed an executive order to create an air defence system for the US to promote a “peace from strength” policy.