I have to admit, I like China's style. What other nation would spend a bazillion dollars to smash its own lo-fi satellite out of the sky with a lo-fi ICM with its steering wheel removed, aimed only up.

China’s apparent success in destroying one of its own orbiting satellites with a ballistic missile signals that its rising military intends to contest American supremacy in space, a realm many here consider increasingly crucial to national security. The test of an antisatellite weapon last week, which Beijing declined to confirm or deny Friday despite widespread news coverage and diplomatic inquiries, was perceived by East Asia experts as China’s most provocative military action since it testfired missiles off the coast of Taiwan more than a decade ago.

[Scene: Dusk. A board room with scientists in lab coats on one side of table with Chinese leaders on the other, all wearing Roy Orbison glasses.]

Lead Scientist: Comrad Chairman, we propose to launch the missile at dawn to smash satellite Golden Happy Tomorrow IV in an unprecedented display of revolutionary power creating a shower of bright burning meteorites that will show your wisdom to the globe!

Chairmen: [Finger tips touching before him, slowly forming a slight smile.] Excellent.

[Room erupts in cautious laughter that builds in a cautious crescendo. Camera pans to a map of world on the wall as laughter continues cautiously.]