China seeks talks on space weapons treaty

[maddezmom]

BEIJING - China on Tuesday called for talks on a space weapons treaty, a day after its defense minister reportedly said the country had no plans for a repeat of last month's test of an anti-satellite weapon.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said China joined with Russia and other states in urging negotiations for an agreement under the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.

"China has always advocated the peaceful use of space, and advocates strengthening international exchanges and cooperation on the peaceful use of outer space," Jiang said at a regularly scheduled news conference.

Last month's test, in which a Chinese missile shattered a defunct Chinese weather satellite, drew strong criticism from the United States and other countries, who questioned China's commitment to peaceful development in space.

more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070213/ap_on_re_as/china_anti_satellite