China Thursday voiced objections to putting weapons into space, saying "space should be utilized for peace."

The New York Times reported Tuesday that the US Air Force is seeking President Bush's approval of a national security directive that could move the United States closer to fielding both offensive and defensive space weapons.

While White House spokesman Scott McClellan said on Wednesday that the Bush administration is preparing to update its space policy to allow for protection of satellites from attack, but is not considering putting weapons into space.

"Space belongs to the commonwealth of all humanity. China has always held the opinion that space should be utilized for peace to benefit humankind," said China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan, when asked to comment on this at a regular press conference.

"China opposes putting weapons into space," he said,

"China deems that active and precautionary measures -- carrying out negotiations or drawing up relevant international laws and decrees if necessary, should be taken to ensure the space will be utilized for the purpose of peace," he said.

Source: Xinhua