China predicts weapons will be deployed in space

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
A senior Chinese military officer is predicting that weapons will be deployed in outer space, despite Beijing's long-standing desire to prevent an arms race in space. Yao Yunzhu, a senior colonel in the People's Liberation Army, brought up China's recent successful test of an anti-satellite weapon during a World Economic Forum dinner focusing on North Korea. "My wish is we really want to keep space as a peaceful place for human beings," she said Thursday night, adding that China would like all countries to come to a consensus that space should be used only for peaceful purposes. "But personally, I'm pessimistic about it," said Yao, who directs the Asia-Pacific Office at the Academy of Military Science in Beijing. "My prediction: Outer space is going to be weaponized in our lifetime."