Looked From The Strategic Stability Problem Of Space Weaponization

This study tests whether strategic stability theory can be used to analyze the issue of space weaponization and to explain the evolution of the policies and actions taken by China and the US on the issue of space weaponization since the establishment of foreign relations between the People’s Republic of China and the United States of America.Upon the analysis on the operational mechanism of the strategic stability theory on the earth, the paper notes there are two means in the establishment of strategic stability:the Cooperation and Power means. Both are indispensable in realizing strategic stability. The Power means emphasizes the strength base, defining the quality and quantity of the strategic forces of a state, while the Cooperation means involves the rules, norms and institutions which prevent the arms race instability and crisis instability in the system and operational levels. Arms race stability and crisis stability are two variants of strategic stability theory.The space-dominant United States has been seeking to set up hegemonic and self-serving strategic stability since the cold war era. The Power means thus has been its policy priority. However, given the inherent nature of expansionism of the Power means, the Cooperation means plays a critical role in deciding whether strategic stability can be achieved or not. The key lies in whether the Cooperation means can limit or restrain corresponding Power means.From1979-1996, the Sino-US space relations experienced the Strategic Defense Initiative, or the Star Wars Program, but the strategic stability had been kept. The Power means was no doubtedly the policy priority of the US then in pursuit of space weapons. The international arms control treaties helped to stop the arms race instability and crisis instability with China.