China News Service, Beijing, February 10 (Reporter Huang Yuqin) In response to the US denying that Starlink satellites endanger the Chinese space station on the grounds of the so-called "lower limit of emergency collision standard", Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a regular press conference on the 10th that the relevant Saying shirk responsibility and divert attention is not the responsible attitude of a aerospace power.
A reporter asked a question. According to reports, in a note sent to the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs on January 28, the United States denied China’s claim that the Starlink satellites had twice endangered the Chinese space station, saying that the activities of the Starlink satellites did not reach the established level. Thresholds for emergency collision standards, so no emergency notification is required in either situation.
The U.S. note also stated that before sending the note to the United Nations, China did not contact relevant U.S. departments and express concerns about the danger posed by Starlink satellites.
How does China respond to this?
Zhao Lijian said that China is fulfilling its international obligations under Article 5 of the Outer Space Treaty by informing the United Nations of the situation regarding the dangerous approach of Starlink satellites to the Chinese space station and threatening the safety of astronauts in orbit.
In the relevant collision avoidance incidents, the US Starlink satellites are in a continuous orbital maneuvering state, and the maneuvering strategy and intention are unknown.
Chinese astronauts in orbit face real and urgent security threats.
The Chinese side had to take preventive collision avoidance control.
After the collision avoidance incident, the competent Chinese authorities tried to contact the U.S. by email several times, but received no reply.
Today, the U.S. side shirks responsibility and diverts its attention with the so-called "lower limit of the emergency collision standard", which is not the responsible attitude of a major aerospace power.
What's more, the US has no right to unilaterally set a "lower limit of emergency collision standards".
Zhao Lijian pointed out that Article 9 of the Outer Space Treaty stipulates that the exploration and use of outer space by each State party shall be based on the principle of cooperation and mutual assistance; all activities of a State party in outer space shall properly take into account the equal interests of other States parties.
The Chinese side has registered the information about the space station with the United Nations, and published the orbital number of the Chinese space station on the website.
From the perspective of safeguarding the safety of Chinese astronauts and space stations, China is willing to establish a long-term communication mechanism with the United States, and hopes that the United States will take practical measures to prevent such incidents from happening again.
China also hopes that all countries can jointly respect the international system of outer space based on international law, and work together to safeguard the life safety of astronauts in orbit and the safe and stable operation of space facilities.
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