US considering space hotline with China to avoid crises

The United States is considering creating a hotline with China to avoid crises in space amid broader tensions, Reuters reported.

Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman told Reuters on Monday the U.S. has had internal discussions about setting up a hotline to mitigate crises in space. However, he noted the U.S. has not yet engaged with China on the matter.

The U.S.-China relationship has been strained by numerous crises, including close military confrontations in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait, the spy balloon incident last February and recent reports that China has been spying on the U.S. from Cuba for years.

The potential move to set up a hotline to respond to space crises is a signal the two countries may be open to more cooperation in the future.

“What we have talked about on the U.S. side at least is opening up a line of communication to make sure that if there is a crisis, we know who we can contact,” Saltzman told Reuters.

He said it would ultimately be left up to President Biden and the State Department to take further action on the hotline. He also noted the Space Force was considering establishing a headquarters in Japan.

He told Reuters that more communication with countries like Japan would deter China and counter “grey zone activities,” like jamming the signals of satellites.

“We have to be able to have those indications and warnings and see what they’re doing and call them on the intent. Just being hypersensitive so we don’t fall prey to grey zone activities,” Saltzman said.

The Hill has reached out to the Space Force and the State Department for comment.