World

China's Missile Strike May Crimp U.S. Exports

by DIG THE HEAVY | January 23, 2007 at 01:55 pm

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The startling disclosure that China successfully launched a long-range
precision missile strike that obliterated one of its own satellites has
definitely spooked defense analysts in Washington, Taipei, and Tokyo
who are worried about the mainland's push to develop anti-satellite
capabilities. Yet the news is also sure to embolden critics about the
need to toughen export controls—particularly in the U.S.—on what sort
of dual-use technologies foreign companies can sell or make in China.............

"We didn't want to see them have this capability, but they do have it," says Alexander Chieh-cheng Huang, a professor of strategic studies at Taiwan's Tamkang University and a senior associate with the Center for Strategic International Studies in Taipei. He adds the test shows some sophistication with "sensor targeting" and confirms past published writings by Chinese military officials about the importance of mastering high-tech warfare in future conflicts.