China plans to deploy a constellation of 200,000 satellites, significantly outnumbering SpaceX's Starlink initiative of 49,000. The filings with the International Telecommunications Union suggest a mix of commercial and possibly defense-related purposes, as the U.S. views this expansion as a national security threat. Despite ambitious plans, China's satellite launches have been slow, with existing networks still in early stages.

China's Guowang satellite network may provide the military with strategic advantages, potentially surpassing the capabilities of the US's SpaceX Starlink. Managed by the secretive China SatNet, this constellation raises concerns among US defense officials regarding its military applications, while another network, Qianfan, aims to serve commercial broadband needs. The Guowang network's architecture is reminiscent of military-grade systems like SpaceX's Starshield and the proposed MILNET by the US military.

China is significantly lagging behind SpaceX in deploying its satellite networks, with less than 1 percent of planned satellites operational due to engineering challenges and a lack of reusable rocket technology. Despite ambitious goals for its megaconstellations, China's progress is hindered by technical setbacks and potential regulatory issues regarding frequency allocations. Experts suggest that while challenges remain, technological breakthroughs could alter the competitive landscape in the near future.

China has successfully conducted what appears to be the first high-altitude orbital refueling attempt, with its Shijian-21 and Shijian-25 satellites docking approximately 20,000 miles above Earth. This development indicates advancements in satellite replenishment technologies that could have both civilian and military implications, as the U.S. Space Force monitors the situation closely.