India is preparing to test a heavy-lift rocket for the commercial launching of satellites.

Several indpendent nuclear scientists warn that the proposed missile defense system would be unable to effectively hit incoming missiles.

'Russia would be able to annihilate the United States with hundreds of nuclear warheads even if it were attacked first and the proposed US missile defense system were in place, US negotiating documents published Friday assert.'

Europe would respond 'very badly' if the United States decides to deploy a national missile defense system without first reaching an agreement with Russia and discussing the issue with the Europeans.

A Chinese newspaper disclosed that China has 17 spy satellites which can continuously monitor the movements of the U.S. military.

An anonymous State department official argued that some kind of missile defense system is inevitable. He also argued that Chinese and Russian warnings that a U.S. deployment will cause an arms race are insignificant as both Russia and China have already embarked on a modernization program.

An American commercial remote sensing satellite has recently acquired very high resolution images of Chinese missile and air force bases, possibly for Taiwanese defense clients.

China said Monday it had successfully tested a new weapon which was capable of shooting down an incoming cruise missile travelling at speed and at low altitude.

Intelligence officials are warning that a US decision to build a national missile defense system could set off a nuclear arms race between China, India and Pakistan.

China is planning to orbit its own space station as part of its manned space program.