WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- Showing its displeasure with China's test of an anti-satellite missile, the United States has suspended plans to cooperate with China in space exploration.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration spokesman Jason Sharp said in The Washington Times the Jan. 11 test damaged the space agreement reached in April between U.S. President George Bush and Chinese President Hu Jintao.
"We believe China's development and testing of such weapons is inconsistent with the constructive relationship that our presidents have outlined, including on civil space cooperation," Sharp told the Times.
Last month's missile destroyed a Chinese weather satellite, sending thousands of fragments into orbit where they threaten U.S. and foreign satellites.
In Beijing a Chinese spokesman called for a ban on space weapons, something the Bush administration has opposed, the Times said.
"Since other countries care about this question and are opposed to weaponization of space and an arms race in space, then let us join hands to realize this goal," said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu.
