Featured Speaker

Mr. Dean Cheng discussed China's current involvement in space and how it is likely to evolve in the future. China is in the process of deciding what kind of space power it is going to be, but it will not be a "mirror image" of the U.S. or Soviet programs. China views space as a national asset and as a means of raising national power. There is currently no open source on the space doctrine of the People's Liberation Army, but there is little doubt the Chinese military has a huge interest in how it can use space. The implications for the United States are tied to China's goals to gain global prestige, improve its diplomatic standing, and strengthen its economy. Furthermore, the United States has never confronted an opponent with space capabilities. It is clear the China is intent on developing its space capabilities and becoming a space power.