China Warns Trump’s Golden Dome Could Turn Space Into a Warzone

China has sounded the alarm over President Donald Trump’s ambitious Golden Dome missile defense system, a $125 billion initiative aimed at shielding the U.S. from adversarial attacks. Chinese Foreign Minister Mao Ning slammed the project, claiming it has a "strong offensive nature" and risks transforming space into a battleground. She argued it violates the Outer Space Treaty’s call for peaceful use, warning of a potential arms race that could destabilize global security.

But let’s not pretend this is a one-sided affair. U.S. intelligence has long flagged China and Russia’s own space-based arsenals, including anti-satellite weapons capable of crippling American infrastructure. Space Force Vice Chief Gen. B. Chance Saltzman recently described China’s orbital tracking capabilities as "mind-boggling," with hundreds of satellites dedicated to monitoring U.S. assets. Meanwhile, Gen. Michael Guetlein revealed China’s been practicing what he calls "dogfighting in space"—satellites maneuvering with precision, hinting at their growing prowess in orbital combat.

Trump, undeterred, unveiled the Golden Dome plan from the White House, promising completion before his term ends. Congress is already moving, with $25 billion earmarked to kickstart the project. Russia, too, is watching closely, with the Kremlin suggesting the plan could spark new arms control talks, especially since the U.S. exited key treaties like the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in 2002.

China’s rhetoric about U.S. "obsession" with space dominance feels rich, given their own aggressive satellite maneuvers. The Golden Dome may be a bold flex, but in a world where space is increasingly a contested frontier, it’s a move that reflects the high-stakes reality of modern geopolitics.