China clashes with US ally over rocket launch

 Ryan Chan 

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The Philippines—a treaty ally of the United States—accused its major rival, China, of being irresponsible for launching a rocket across the South China Sea and putting its people at risk.

While Chinese authorities have not responded, state media—citing sources—reported that debris from the rocket fell into "predesignated drop zones" within international waters.

Newsweek has contacted the Chinese Embassy in Manila and the Philippine Embassy in Beijing for further comment via email.

Why It Matters

China and the Philippines both claim sovereignty over parts of the South China Sea, where overlapping claims often lead to clashes between their forces. Heightened tensions could draw the U.S. into a conflict, as Washington has signed a mutual defense treaty with Manila.

To support its fast-growing and ambitious space program, China has built two spacecraft launch facilities on the southern island province of Hainan, which borders the South China Sea. One is operated by the national space agency, while the other is commercially run.

A Chinese Long March-12 carrier rocket carrying a group of internet satellites blasts off from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in Wenchang, Hainan province, China, on August 4. A Chinese Long March-12 carrier rocket carrying a group of internet satellites blasts off from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in Wenchang, Hainan province, China, on August 4. VCG via AP

What To Know

China's Xinhua News Agency reported that a Long March-12 carrier rocket was launched from the commercial spacecraft launch site on Hainan Island on Monday evening. The rocket successfully placed its payload—low-orbit internet satellites—into orbit.