China and the Non-Weaponization of Outer Space: Towards a Relational Normativity

Abstract

China’s normative agenda on the non-weaponization in outer space has felt short in reconciling the interests of developing countries and developed countries. Ever since China together with Russia had submitted their draft (revised) treaties in 2008 and 2014 before the Conference on Disarmament, the normative project has come to a standstill. Moreover, China’s call for the democratisation of international relations is witnessing a turning point now that the majority support of developing countries for its agenda rallied on a development agenda is shrinking before the UN General Assembly. This article examines how and why China’s dual-track negotiation strategy vis-à-vis developed and developing countries departs from its relational perspective on the normativity of international law. Instead, past disarmament efforts in outer space during the Cold War can guide China’s norm-entrepreneurship where it must seek a consensus amongst the major space powers, the US in particular, on the basis of trust first. Without such a fertile soil, however, any rules on the prevention of an arms race in outer space cannot gain root.