China reiterates support for peaceful use of space
![The Long March II-F rocket carrying the Shenzhou VII manned spacecraft blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in the Gansu province on September 25, 2008. [Reuters]](http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200809/r296493_1276642.jpg "The Long March II-F rocket carrying the Shenzhou VII manned spacecraft blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in the Gansu province on September 25, 2008. [Reuters]")
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The Long March II-F rocket carrying the Shenzhou VII manned spacecraft blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in the Gansu province on September 25, 2008. [Reuters]
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President Hu Jintao says China supports the peaceful exploration and use of space.
President Hu's comments follow a statement by Chinese air force commander Xu Qiliang who called for a "Great wall of steel in the blue sky".
The commander claims competition between military forces is naturally shifting to space, and the strong trend could not be reversed.
President Hu has reassured visiting foreign air force delegations that China is committed to peaceful development and cooperation with all countries.
He says China will never seek military expansion and will never constitute military threat to any other country.
The delegations are in Beijing for a military forum to mark the 60th founding anniversary of China's air force.
A space race between Asia's major and emerging powers has been building in recent years, with China, Japan and India all launching unmanned Moon missions since 2007 and harbouring plans for manned lunar expeditions.
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