Of the problem

There is fierce competition between China and the United States in the field of international order. The United States seeks an imperial role, while China hopes to supplement and improve the existing international order. With the rise of China and intensified competition between China and the United States, the United States and its allies are dissatisfied with the existing international order and hope to establish a new rules based order. China is striving to establish an order and governance system based on international law in the field of space, promote a community with a shared future in space, and prevent the United States from establishing an international space order based on its own rules. There are obvious differences between China and the United States in establishing an international space order, which is essentially a competition for the power to formulate space rules. How China and the United States construct an international space order will affect the stability and peace of the international order during the period of international power transfer, as well as important issues such as the construction of new space rules and order, the substantive differences between China and the United States in space order, and strategic competition and cooperation.

1、 New rules and new order: an urgent need for space governance

The space field is facing congestion, competition, and confrontation, leading to issues such as scarce resources, accumulation of space debris, and space weaponization, which cannot be effectively addressed by existing governance mechanisms. The development of space technology has changed the geopolitical structure, increased competition between countries, and the democratization of space has led to space congestion and intensified competition. The trend towards space weaponization and battlefields is intensifying, and the international community is concerned about the arms race in space. The current international space governance framework has limitations in curbing the proliferation of space weapons, unequal resource allocation, and challenges of space commercialization. It is necessary to establish a more legally binding global space governance mechanism to limit space weaponization, achieve fair resource allocation, and promote multilateral cooperation.

2、 Strategic Competition and Cooperation between China and the United States in the Construction of the International Space Order

The current international space order is undergoing a transitional period and facing uncertainty. Although the Outer Space Treaty establishes principles for space activities, it lacks a detailed legal framework. The United Nations Outer Space Commission has passed Resolution 68/74, calling on all countries to strengthen the regulation of space activities, fulfill their international legal obligations, and achieve peaceful use of space. China and the United States are engaged in fierce competition in the construction of the international space order, especially in terms of space security order. China advocates limiting the arms race in space and proposes initiatives to restrict space weapons, while the United States advocates limiting specific weapons and promoting responsible space behavior standards. In terms of space commercial and legal order, although the level of competition between China and the United States is not as high as in the security field, there is still a contest. China opposes the privatization of space resources by the United States and adheres to the principle of international cooperation in outer space. The game between China and the United States in the construction of space order involves multiple levels such as rule proposals, space security, and commercial order, reflecting the strategic competition and cooperation between the two countries in the space field.

3、 Differences and Similarities in Shaping the International Space Order between China and the United States

Space is crucial for the security and global stability of China and the United States, and there are similarities and differences between the two countries in building an international space order. Both countries acknowledge the need for new rules and are willing to provide space public goods, proposing space rules separately with the common goal of shaping a new order and avoiding the "Kinderberg Trap". China and the United States use their technological advantages to shape order, and technological power plays a key role in setting issues, promoting negotiations, and formulating rules. The two countries are attempting to create history through order and form consensus through bargaining. There are differences between China and the United States in building order: the United States advocates using its own rules as the basis, while China advocates using international law as the basis; China emphasizes the core role of the United Nations, while the United States values cooperation with its allies; China advocates the combination of hard law and soft law, while the United States focuses more on soft law. China and the United States need to cooperate within the framework of the United Nations, form widely recognized space rules, and jointly maintain space security and stability.

4、 Possible outcomes of the game between China and the United States in the international space order

Explored the game between China and the United States in building an international space order and its possible outcomes. In history, the game between rising powers and established powers in the international order has been the norm. China advocates the establishment of a community of shared destiny and a fair and reasonable international space order, while the United States accelerates the shaping of a new order to maintain hegemony. The game between China and the United States is essentially a game between international law and American rules. There may be three possible scenarios in the future: first, the international space order built by China and Russia based on hard law and the international space order built by the United States based on soft law may coexist in opposition, forming a bounded order similar to the Cold War era; Secondly, the United States strives to take the lead in formulating rules and shaping an international space order dominated by its own rules, while China and Russia seize the high ground in key areas as a response; The third is the integration and coexistence of rules between China and the United States, forming an international space order that combines hard law and soft law. China has proposed an international space order based on international law, and the United States and its allies are also working with the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space to develop norms for space commercial activities. The final outcome depends on the development of space technology and other aspects between China and the United States, as well as changes in the overall international landscape.

conclusion

China is committed to reforming and improving the current space governance mechanism without disrupting the existing international space order, establishing an open, fair, and inclusive system, and advocating for the formation of legally binding agreements within the framework of the United Nations and international law. The United States seeks to establish comprehensive space rules and an international space order to protect its national interests, and hopes to establish a non legally binding space legal framework based on its domestic rules. The United States attempts to reach consensus among its allies, then promote it globally, and if necessary, grant legitimacy through the United Nations, essentially a thorough reform of the existing space system. In terms of changing the international order, the United States is a 'revisionist country', while China is a defender. Under the changing power structure between China and the United States, how to maintain stability and peace in the international order during power transfer has become a major issue for both countries. The core goal of the international order is to prevent wars between major powers, which depends on the United States' ability to adapt to China's rise, including accommodating China's rise. China's rise is due to its integration into the US led international system, and the space order that China expects is a fair and reasonable order that reflects its international status and influence. China and the United States should uphold the spirit of goodwill and cooperation within the framework of the United Nations, jointly formulate and abide by relevant rules, in order to maintain the security and stability of the international space order.