Description
Outer space has been a domain of great power competition since the launch of the first artificial satellite in 1957. Countless everyday civilian and commercial activities also depend on space-based technologies. What happens in space affects us all.
The international law governing outer space was agreed in the 1960s and 70s when the United States and the Soviet Union were the sole space powers. China has since developed significant space capabilities.
China has since 2000 actively advocated for the international community to adopt a treaty to prohibit the placement of weapons in outer space. If the draft treaty proposed by China (joint with Russia) were adopted, it would represent a significant evolution in the international space law regime.
This paper will revisit the history of China’s proposal and its reception by the West to present three aspects of the evolution of international space law that are worth revisiting.
The findings have implications for our understanding of China as an actor in international law as well as the future management of the global commons.
Key words: outer space; future of international law; space law; arms control; global commons
