China’s ‘worst-case thinking’ could spark space crisis, study finds

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WASHINGTON — A new report from the RAND Corporation suggests that China’s approach to space competition with the United States could increase the risk of unintended military escalation. Drawing on authoritative materials including leader speeches, defense white papers, and military education documents, RAND’s report paints a concerning picture of Chinese military thinking on space security. The People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) growing assertiveness, coupled with its historical reluctance to engage in crisis communication with the United States, is creating a volatile environment, says the study. The report, titled “China’s Growing Risk Tolerance in Space,” was written by RAND Project Air Force,...