Missile Defense with Chinese Characteristics

Missile Defense with Chinese Characteristics

By Michael S. Chase

On January 27, 2013, China conducted its second mid-course missile defense interceptor test, leading to considerable speculation among Chinese and Western analysts about Beijing’s motives and intentions as well as its plans for further development of mid-course intercept technology and possible deployment of its own missile defense system. Given Beijing’s longstanding and vehement opposition to U.S. missile defense programs, which it charges damages strategic stability and undermines China’s security by raising doubts about the effectiveness of its nuclear deterrent, it would seem logical that China would refrain from pursuing similar capabilities (“China Steps Up Rhetoric Against U.S. Missile Defense,” China Brief, October 19, 2012). Somewhat ironically, however, even as Chinese officials have continued to criticize the United States for conducting research on and activities related to missile defense, China has been developing its own missile defense technology. Indeed, over the past three years, Beijing has conducted two missile defense interception tests—both of which were accompanied by brief official statements—and Chinese analysts have suggested a number of potential directions for China’s missile defense program.

 

READ MORE

 http://www.jamestown.org/programs/chinabrief/single/?tx_ttnews[tt_news]=40915&tx_ttnews[backPid]=25&cHash=37e9eb10feb3980014ffb5628a988974

***