China a threat in outer space, cyberspace; China proves need for space rules

Ocala Star-Banner

March 23, 2008

As the only member of the U.S. Senate to be serving on the Intelligence, Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees, I have a keen interest in U.S.-China relations - with a goal of protecting Americans, and American technology, from Chinese state-sponsored spying.

Unfortunately, these are anxious days, when we consider the threat from such espionage facing our country and recent developments on this front.

Just recently four people were arrested in two separate spying cases in the United States. They were accused of spying for China, as it seeks to acquire more and more of our trade and classified state secrets, including details of our nation's space shuttle program.

It goes without saying that our American military depends heavily on access to space to operate global positioning systems, as well as reconnaissance and communications satellites. Yet our own Justice Department says the recent spying cases are only the latest mark in China's ongoing "adept and determined" attempts to gain top secret information about our military.

In the words of an assistant attorney general, Ken Wainstein, it's not just a threat to "our national security [but also] to our economic position in the world."

Before an open session of the Senate Intelligence Committee recently, the director of national intelligence also has warned that China has "the technical capabilities to target and disrupt elements of the U.S. information infrastructure."

And last December, it was reported that Chinese hackers had launched "a sophisticated cyber attack" on the Oak Ridge National Laboratory that appeared "to be part of a coordinated attempt to gain access to computer networks at numerous laboratories and other institutions across the country."

The threat, to be sure, is real - and we cannot allow ourselves to grow complacent.

Cyber-security is a project that the U.S. is beginning to embark upon, and one that will require billions of dollars of investment and inter-agency coordination at an unprecedented level.

Meantime, America must exert its leadership to prevent China and other nations from irresponsible actions not just in cyberspace but also in outer space.

Another incident that drew attention occurred in January 2007. That's when China tested an anti-satellite weapon and opened the door to the potential militarization of space, a frightening prospect for all the nations of the world.

With that test, China contradicted its long-standing support for a ban on space arms and raised serious questions about whether it aims to develop and deploy such arms.

As more and more nations begin their own space ventures, events like these will become more commonplace, further highlighting the need for all space-faring nations to begin exploring the need for rules of the road in space.

With their test last year the Chinese added 2 million pieces of junk to low-earth orbit, potentially jeopardizing satellites upon which we rely. The test was deemed irresponsible by many nations because it occurred some 500 miles above the Earth in orbits more commonly used by communication satellites.

By contrast, the U.S. shoot-down of a crippled bird more recently was carefully planned to minimize debris and conducted in the open so other nations and the public would be well informed of the plan.

As more nations enter the space-faring fraternity, we must do everything we can to make sure all nations choose to take responsible courses of action when engaging in space ventures. Our future and peaceful use of space depends on it.

Clearly, the threat is real from China's "adept and determined" espionage attempts, coupled with its advancing technology.

But I am an optimist.

I believe America under the next administration will use an alliance-based approach in dealings with China, and in limited cases, reach agreements that spring from mutual interest.

And I will urge Congress to take the right approach: protecting our interests first and foremost.

Bill Nelson is the senior U.S. senator from Florida.

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