US concerns about China's military buildup have only been heightened by a Chinese anti-satellite test in January that has yet to be explained, the top US military leader said Tuesday.
"It speaks to a higher level of concern that many of us in the United States have about what is the strategic intent of the investment, the high tech investment the Chinese government is making with respect to its military capability in the future," Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
China used a ballistic missile to intercept and destroy one of its own ageing weather satellites in low Earth orbit on January 11 in a test that demonstrated the vulnerability of US satellites.
Senior US military officials have said the test was a wake-up call and that China will be able to disrupt US military communications in a conflict within three years.
Chinese officials have responded to US questions about the test with bland assurances that it was not hostile and posed no threat, US officials have said.