Cheney criticizes arms build-up
26 February 2007
China's recent anti-satellite weapons test and its ongoing military buildup are "not consistent" with its stated goal of a peaceful rise as a global power according to US Vice President Dick Cheney, AP reported. Speaking in Sydney, Australia, Cheney also praised China for playing an important role in the recent North Korea nuclear settlement. But he was more critical of China shooting down one of its own orbiting weather satellites in space with a ballistic missile in January, which provoked an international outcry amid fears over satellite security. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has yet to respond to Cheney's remarks.