China’s Concerns Over U.S. Cupola Gold Project
China has expressed significant concern over the U.S. anti-missile shield project, Cupola Gold, urging Washington to abandon its development. This statement was made by a spokesperson from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday.
The project, a $175 billion initiative led by President Donald Trump, aims to counter threats from China and Russia by creating an ambitious space-based defense system, inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome terrestrial defense shield.
Mao Ning, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, highlighted that Cupola Gold carries “strong offensive implications” and increases the risks of militarizing outer space and triggering an arms race. He criticized the U.S.’s “America First” policy, stating that it prioritizes absolute security for the U.S., violating the principle that no country’s security should be compromised, and undermining global strategic balance and stability.
China’s Call for Confidence-Building Measures
China urged the U.S. to cease development of the system immediately and take steps to enhance confidence among major powers.
Russia Sees Potential for Renewed Arms Control Dialogue
Meanwhile, the Kremlin suggested that Trump’s Cupola Gold project might compel the resumption of future discussions between Russia and the U.S. on nuclear arms control.
When questioned about Trump’s announcement regarding the selected Cupola Gold design, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov stated that it was a sovereign matter for the U.S.
Peskov, when asked if Russia views the project as a threat to nuclear parity with the U.S., mentioned that there are no specifics about the U.S. project and many nuances remain.
“In the foreseeable future, the course of events necessitates the resumption of dialogue on strategic stability issues,” Peskov said.
Nuclear Parity and Arms Control
Russia and the U.S., as the world’s leading nuclear powers, have lamented the disintegration of arms control treaties aimed at curbing the arms race and reducing nuclear war risks.
- The U.S. has blamed Russia for the collapse of agreements like the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (ABM) and the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF).
- The U.S. formally withdrew from the INF Treaty in 2019, citing Russian violations, which Moscow denied. The U.S. also left the ABM Treaty in 2002.
Peskov emphasized the need to rebuild this framework, both for the interest of the U.S. and Russia and global security.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the Cupola Gold project? It’s a $175 billion U.S. initiative to develop a space-based defense system, inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome, aiming to counter threats from China and Russia.
- Why are China and Russia concerned? Both countries view the project as increasing space militarization risks and triggering an arms race, undermining global strategic balance.
- What did the Kremlin say about the project? The Kremlin suggested that the Cupola Gold project might lead to renewed discussions on nuclear arms control between Russia and the U.S.
- What treaties have been affected? The U.S. has blamed Russia for the collapse of agreements like the 1972 ABM Treaty and the 1987 INF Treaty.
