China general sees military space race

[FT_news]

Air force chief calls military competition in space 'inevitable', a departure from Beijing's past insistence that it is not pursuing space programmes for military purposes

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[forum_admin]

China's quest for a strong air force is in line with the need to safeguard regional stability and world peace, the service's commander-in-chief, General Xu Qiliang said Sunday.

"Regardless of its extent of development, the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) will never pose a military threat to any country," Xu said in an interview to Xinhua News Agency just days before the 60th anniversary of the Chinese air force on Nov 11.

PLAAF will employ a combination of defense and attack strategies, he said.

This means it will constantly improve its capabilities in reconnaissance and early warning, airborne combat capabilities, anti-aircraft and anti-missile, and strategic airlift missions, said Xu.

PLAAF will put its most advanced warplanes on display in the capital to mark the anniversary.

(Source: China Daily)