WASHINGTON — China is developing the ability to limit or prevent the use of satellites by potential adversaries in times of crisis, the Pentagon said Monday in a report to Congress.
The report, the latest in a series of annual assessments of China’s military power, says Beijing views its efforts in space warfare as not only a practical advance of military power but also a boost to national prestige.
In space and other aspects of China’s military modernization, the Pentagon stuck to its oft-repeated view that China’s first priority is to build a broad-based capability to prevent Taiwanese independence. It said China’s focus on space warfare is an important part of that Taiwan strategy.
China typically objects to the Pentagon’s depiction of its military programs and policies. The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately return a message seeking comment on Monday’s report.
