For space security, the international community should draw lessons from the nuclear disarmament process, and should not repeat the old path of "development first, disarmament afterwards," said Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong at a recent space security workshop. 

Co-hosted by China, Laos, Russia and the United States, the Third Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum Workshop on Space Security, held in Beijing from November 30 to December 1, drew representatives from more than 20 countries. Delegates from the UN, regional organizations, as well as international think tanks also attended the discussion. 

In his keynote speech during the opening ceremony, Li made the Chinese proposal for the peaceful use of outer space. "As a space power, China has always advocated the peaceful use of outer space, opposing weaponization and an arms race in outer space," he said.  

"We should foster a balanced approach to space security... We cannot afford to wait until the Damocles sword of outer space weaponization hangs over our head," the vice foreign minister stressed. 

Ma Shengkun, a counselor with the Department of Arms Control under the Chinese Foreign Ministry, also believes that preventing the weaponization of outer space is urgent. "The solving of this problem will create a better situation for the peaceful use of outer space," he observed. 

Ma added that China will continue to participate in the UN's outer space security work, further embody the consensus of international community, and contribute to the global governance of outer space security. He also said China would take multiple measures to safeguard the security of outer space in the future. 

"First, we hope to start negotiating relevant international legal instruments on preventing weaponization in outer space as soon as possible, to make up for the current legal deficiency. It is the fundamental solution. Second, each country must take proper and feasible measures based on their own situations," he stated.