China: Military Programs
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China has launched communications, navigation, and imaging satellites.  According to the official state media, in January 2000 China launched the civilian telecommunications satellite, Chinasat-22 (Zhongxing-22), to be used for ground communications under the direction of the China Telecommunications and Broadcasting Satellite Corporation.[1]  According to a January 2000 Washington Times article, however, a classified U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency report apparently identified Chinasat-22 as Feng Huo-1, a military communications satellite providing C-band and UHF communications.[2] Feng Huo-1 reportedly was the first of several communications satellites ultimately comprising the Qu Dian system, an integrated military command control, communications, computer, and intelligence system.[2] China launched three Bei Dou-1 navigation satellites (the most recent in May 2003) and has applied for GEO slots for the four, second-generation Bei Dou-2 satellites in order to establish a regional navigation system before 2010.[3,4] Though also used for civilian purposes, China believes the Bei Dou system will improve the precision of its long-range weapons and the data available to its military units.[3] In July 2005 the state-owned company, China Galileo Industries, signed contracts for involvement in the European Union's Galileo satellite navigation system, though it is thought that in the future China may utilize it to enhance its military capabilities.[5]

Feng-Yun satellite.

China currently has one dedicated imaging reconnaissance satellite, along with one remote sensing satellite, one meteorological satellite, and one remote sensing microsatellite with potential dual-use capabilities.[6,7,8] In November 2003, China launched the FSW-2 imaging reconnaissance satellite, the latest version in the FSW series first launched in 1975.[6,9] The FSW-2 can remain in orbit for a maximum of 18 days before returning to Earth with its data.[5] The Zi Yuan remote sensing satellites, developed as part of the China-Brazil Earth Resources program, has an estimated three to nine meter resolution and is thought by some analysts and government officials to be used for military purposes.[10,11,12] In addition, China's Feng Yun series of metereological satellites reportedly has three-meter resolution capabilities and is also thought to provide data to the military.[9,10,13] China maintains, however, that these satellites are used purely for civilian purposes.[7,10] According to a June 2003 article in Paris's Libération, China wants to upgrade its satellite imaging capabilities to less than one meter resolution and is interested in purchasing a satellite comparable to France's Helios-1.[9] The Dong Fang Hong-4 (DFH-4) communications satellite currently being developed with direct broadcast capabilities potentially could be adapted to transmit military data, such as maps and enemy deployments, to small field stations.[14]

With the assistance of UK-based Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd., China built and launched successfully its first remote sensing microsatellite, Tsinghua-1, in June 2000, and another in October 2002.[12] Though analysts contend that these microsatellites could also be used for military purposes, China says that the satellites will track natural- and human-related disasters.[8]

The link between China's manned space program, "Project 921," initiated in 1992, and its development of advanced military technology is a subject of debate.[15,16] China conducted successfully its first manned mission on October 15, 2003 using the Shenzhou V spacecraft, similar to the Russian Soyuz spacecraft.[16,17] Four successful unmanned Shenzhou launches had already taken place.[17] Reports have suggested that China used the Shenzhou missions for electronic and imaging intelligence-gathering. In October 2003, SpaceDaily reported that the Shenzhou I - Shenzhou IV test flights likely carried military payloads in the form of electronic intelligence or imaging reconnaissance equipment.[18] In light of these revelations, only discussed by Chinese authorities in early 2003, the article speculated that the primary mission of China’s first manned spaceflight might have been imaging reconnaissance.[18] Upon the launch of Shenzhou-6 in October of 2005, Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao reiterated that the flights have a "completely peaceful motive."[19]

China’s long-term goals in space exploration include sending a satellite into lunar orbit, followed by a robotic explorer and an eventual moonwalk.[20] China also has plans to build a space station on the Moon.[20] In addition, in August 2003 China concluded an agreement with Russia to pursue future joint space exploration efforts.[21] Any Russian cooperation on military-related space projects is unlikely, according to some Russian analysts, due to Russian concern over assisting the development of potential Chinese military space capabilities.[22]

There has been much speculation regarding China's interest in anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons. In 2001, Hong Kong newspapers reported on Chinese research into ASAT technology, specifically “parasitic” satellites. Sources claimed that these satellites were ground tested and would be tested in space.[23,24] In its 2005 report to Congress on China's military capabilities, the Pentagon suggested that China is developing ASAT weapons, though its current capabilities are limited to the possible use of a nuclear-tipped launch vehicle.[25] It is also believed that China has the capability to develop a land-based laser weapon for use against satellites.[25] However, some analysts question whether China is developing ASAT weapons actively, given its support for preventing an arms race in space and its limited capabilities vis-à-vis ASAT technology.[26] Besides ASAT weapons, the August 2003 Pentagon report claimed that China might be developing navigation satellite jammers that could be used against U.S. GPS satellites.[27]

[1] "PRC Sends Telecommunications Satellite Into Orbit," Xinhua, January 25, 2000, FBIS Document OW2501231000.
[2] Bill Gertz, "China's Military Links Forces to Boost Power," Washington Times, March 16, 2000.
[3] Tian Xing, “The ‘Beidou’ Positioning Satellite Increases China’s Military Strength,” Ching Pao, July 1, 2003, pp. 38-40; in “'Beidou-1' Positioning Satellite to Enhance PRC Military Strength,” FBIS Document CPP20030707000122.
[4] Chen Lan, "China Prepares To Build Satellite Constellation," Flight International, June 28, 2005.

[5] "EU Signs Galileo Satellite Pacts With China," Associated Press Financial Wire, July 28, 2005.
[6] Huang Tung, "China's New Type of Reconnaissance Satellite Recovered," Kuang Chio Ching, December 15, 2003, p. 70; in "Features of China's New Retrievable Reconnaissance Satellite," FBIS Document CPP20031223000126.
[7] Fong Tak-ho, "Chinese Scientists Deny Spy-Satellite Claim," South China Morning Post, August 2, 2001, FBIS Document CPP20010802000044.
[8] Frank Sietzen, Jr., "Microspace Technology Comes to China," Space.com website, October 19, 2000.
[9] Jean-Dominique Merchet, “Beijing Wants Its Own Spy Satellite,” June 27, 2003, Libération; in “France Reportedly Undecided About Sale of Spy Satellite to China,” FBIS Document EUP20030627000056.
[10] Fong Tak-ho, "Space Programme To Take Giant Leap," South China Morning Post, February 8, 2003; in "PRC Space Program to Take Giant Leap," FBIS Document CPP20030208000037.
[11] "Beijing's New Arsenal," Paris Intelligence Online, October 24, 2003, http://www.indigo-net.com.

[12] Wu Ming-chieh, “China Increases Intelligence Collection, Takes Aerial Pictures of Taiwan, Tzu-Yu Shih Pao, November 5, 2002; in “Article Views China’s Microsatellites, Taiwan’s Unmanned Aircraft, FBIS Document CPP20021105000019.
[13] Bill Gertz, "Chinese 'Civilian' Satellite A Spy Tool, Washington Times, August 1, 2001, p. 1.
[14] "DFH-4 Communications Satellite," Chinese Defence Today website, http://www.sinodefence.com/space/default.asp.