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US commander calls PRC missile test `regrettable'

The top US military commander in the Pacific says it is regrettable that China recently fired a missile into space to shoot down a satellite, noting Beijing has repeatedly vowed to follow a peaceful path to development.

But Navy Admiral William J. Fallon said the incident, in which China destroyed one of its own defunct weather satellites, should not hinder US moves to expand military relations with the growing Asian power. Such bilateral exchanges are needed in part to show Beijing that the US has no plans to invade China but are committed to defending Taiwan as required by US law, he said.

The satellite test was likely part of a People's Liberation Army effort to develop the ability to counter US military power if there is a face-off over Taiwan, Fallon said in an interview on Tuesday.

Satellites have become increasingly important to US forces in recent years. In Afghanistan and Iraq, the US has used satellite technology to deliver precision-guided bombs directly to their targets.

"It's regrettable that we see events like this because there are very few people in the world that have satellites relative to others, and it's pretty obvious why someone would be trying to acquire this capability," Fallon said.

The Jan. 11 missile test, confirmed by Beijing after two weeks of silence, made China only the third country after Russia and the US to shoot down anything in space.

Fallon said the pursuit of such capabilities would seem to contradict statements from Chinese officials that the country wants to grow peacefully.

"Leadership ought to consider carefully its actions and the actions of its subordinates and the messages that they send to others in the world," he said. "China has been very vocal, particularly in recent years, stating its absolute adherence to a peaceful future and to development of the security of itself as its priority.

"If that's the case, then what's with these kind of steps?" he asked.

The admiral spoke a few weeks before he is due to leave his Hawaii headquarters of the last two years to take over as the top commander of US forces in the Middle East.

More activities are being planned for this year, Fallon said, though he did not offer details.
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