China unveils space war-gaming system for military operations and training

Chinese military scientists have disclosed a space war-gaming system that was previously kept confidential. With a design that is user-friendly, the system possesses the capability to simulate and anticipate the complex process of space combat, according to its developers. It serves not only as a tool for China's military operations, but also as a means of cultivating and honing the skills of top-tier space warriors and commanders on a large scale.

The system was developed by the National University of Defence Technology in Changsha and has already demonstrated its effectiveness in a covert space mission, as reported by the team led by associate professor Zhang Jin in a paper published in the domestic journal National Defence Technology in October. The system also played a crucial role in selecting and shaping the space warfare elite earlier this year. From September, over 400 military cadets formed more than 70 teams for an intense, two-month competition. Many participants concurred that these simulated space skirmishes not only prepared them for combat but also provided them with a first-hand experience of wielding weapons they had only read about in textbooks or technical documents.

The official stance of the Chinese government aligns with that of most countries worldwide, which is a firm opposition to any form of space warfare. On October 31, China and Russia collaborated to submit a resolution to the United Nations, pledging not to be the first to deploy space weapons and advocating for measures to suppress the threat of an arms race beyond Earth's atmosphere. While the resolution garnered overwhelming support, there were detractors, with Washington and its cohorts expressing the loudest disapproval.