China on Monday expressed deep concern and firm opposition as U.S. Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, approving the establishment of a space force, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said at a regular briefing.

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The U.S. has vigorously promoted its outer space strategy in spite of opposition in recent years, going further and further on the road of weaponizing outer space, noted Geng. He added that these actions not only seriously violated international consensus on the peaceful use of outer space, but also posed a direct threat to peace and security in that space.

China has always opposed weaponization and arms race in outer space, urging the international community, especially relevant countries, to prevent outer space from becoming a new battlefield with a prudent and responsible attitude, stressed Geng.

According to the defense act, the Space Force, as the sixth armed service, will be established under the Department of the Air Force and take over the Air Force's space military assets and combat missions.

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