The Space Race: Starlink Sparks Global Strategic Concerns

Stealth submarines with space-shooting lasers, supply-chain sabotage techniques, and custom-built attack satellites: these are among the strategies Chinese scientists have reportedly developed to counter Elon Musk's Starlink satellite network, which Beijing considers a potential threat. An Associated Press review found numerous Chinese government and military publications on this topic.

Starlink, comprising low-orbit satellites that deliver global connectivity, is seen by China as a risk to its strategic interests due to ties with the U.S. defense sector. The network's ability to facilitate military communications, demonstrated in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, has heightened global apprehension.

China is developing its own satellite network to mitigate this threat, reflecting broader concerns about Starlink's influence. Analysts suggest these fears might be exaggerated, but international debate on SpaceX's role continues to intensify amid geopolitical tensions.

(With inputs from agencies.)