By Ryan ChanShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberChina warned the United States that it would "resolutely counter" the proposed Golden Dome missile defense system, saying it undermines its legitimate security interests.
The remarks were made on Thursday in a Chinese white paper on arms control, disarmament and nonproliferation, which also discussed the issue of nuclear buildup.
Newsweek has contacted the Pentagon for comment by email.
Why It Matters
The U.S. homeland is currently safeguarded by a defense system—comprising radars and interceptors; however, it is neither designed nor capable of countering the large, sophisticated missile threats from Russia and China, the country's nuclear adversaries.
As global missile threats continue to evolve, including Chinese nuclear missiles said to have a global range, the Trump administration is advancing the Golden Dome initiative to protect the U.S. homeland, a plan that includes space-based interceptors and sensors.
While China has previously voiced concerns over the Golden Dome, which it says would weaken strategic balance and stability, the East Asian power unveiled similar systems during a September military parade that form a multilayer defense shield.
...What To Know
In a white paper released by the State Council Information Office, China accused the U.S. of pursuing "absolute security" by developing the Golden Dome without restraint, saying such a plan would undermine the legitimate security interests of other countries.
"China will resolutely counter any acts that threaten or undermine its core interests," the document said, adding that Trump's anti-missile defense system seeks to deploy weapons in outer space, which it said would severely threaten security in the domain.
Beijing also criticized Washington over its withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in 2002, a now-defunct arms control agreement with Russia that prohibited the deployment of nationwide defenses against strategic nuclear-armed ballistic missiles.
"This has severely undermined strategic mutual trust, increased strategic risks, and damaged global and regional security and stability," China said in the document.
However, the white paper justifies China's development of missile defense capabilities, saying it is motivated solely by self-defense and does not target any country or region.
Meanwhile, China addressed offensive missiles in the document, protesting the U.S.—without naming it—for promoting the deployment of intermediate-range missiles in the Asia-Pacific region, while saying Chinese missile technologies are used to "deter wars."
Citing "a complex and volatile security environment," the white paper said China, with its vast territory, required what it called "modern military equipment and capabilities" adapted to its conditions and needed to safeguard the country's security and sovereignty.
The U.S. missile deployment that China mentioned likely refers to the Typhon system in the Philippines and Japan. Both countries are key allies along the first island chain, a U.S. strategy aimed at deterring and defending against potential Chinese aggression.
...What People Are Saying
China's Arms Control, Disarmament and Nonproliferation in the New Era white paper said: "China firmly opposes such arrangements and urges the country to stop the development and deployment of global missile defense systems, and to cease the forward deployment of offensive weapons including missiles."
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said in May: "Within the last four decades, our adversaries have developed more advanced and lethal long-range weapons than ever before, including ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles capable of striking the homeland with either conventional or nuclear warheads."
What Happens Next
The U.S. is expected to push forward and accelerate development of the Golden Dome. It remains to be seen whether China will develop additional countermeasures, including missiles capable of penetrating U.S. missile defenses and reaching the homeland.
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