BEIJING — China has urged the United States to halt its military buildup in outer space, warning that the deployment of weapons in orbit could trigger a global arms race and increase strategic tensions.

The warning followed comments from U.S. officials acknowledging that the United States has weapons deployed in orbit. U.S. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said the weapons are intended to help defend against hostile actions involving space. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Beijing opposes the weaponization of outer space and called on Washington to stop expanding its military capabilities there.

“China stands for peaceful use of outer space and keeping it safe, and opposes any arms race in outer space,” Guo said at a Foreign Ministry briefing on September 15. He urged the United States to maintain global strategic stability through concrete actions.

Chinese state media and military analysts have also warned that the expansion of U.S. military capabilities in orbit could encourage other countries to develop counter-space weapons, potentially creating a cycle of competition and increasing the risk of conflict in space.

The issue highlights growing international concerns over the military use of space. Russia has separately called for efforts to prevent an arms race in outer space, arguing that a legally binding agreement could help restrict offensive weapons in orbit.

The United States and China are already competing across several strategic areas, including advanced technology, artificial intelligence and military capabilities. The latest dispute adds space security to the growing list of issues affecting relations between the two powers.

DHAKA — Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Grigoryevich Khozin has said the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is expected to supply 300 megawatts (MW) of electricity to Bangladesh’s national grid by next month.

The ambassador made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Administrator Md Fazlul Hoque at the FBCCI office in Gulshan on Wednesday afternoon. Khozin said work is underway to resolve technical issues at the nuclear power plant, with nearly 4,000 Russian experts and engineers currently involved in the process.

During the meeting, the Russian envoy also agreed to jointly establish a Russia-Bangladesh Business Council aimed at expanding trade, investment and broader economic cooperation between the two countries.

He said Russia is also planning to organize a Russia-Bangladesh Business Forum in Moscow, providing an opportunity for businesses from both countries to establish direct contacts and explore potential partnerships.

According to the ambassador, a formal announcement about the proposed forum is expected during a meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission, scheduled to be held in Dhaka in early November. The business forum is expected to facilitate greater interaction between Bangladeshi and Russian traders and create new opportunities for bilateral business cooperation.

To further strengthen trade ties, FBCCI Administrator Fazlul Hoque urged Russia to give greater priority to Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) sector, along with other emerging areas of mutual economic interest. The discussions highlighted the two countries’ interest in expanding economic and commercial relations while exploring new avenues for investment and private-sector cooperation.