China has expressed concern about Washington's decision to shoot down a damaged satellite, urging the US government to fulfill its international obligation.

Responding to a question on the US plan to shoot down a damaged satellite, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said on Sunday that the Chinese government is highly concerned about development of the situation and has urged the US side to fulfill its international obligation and avoid causing damages to the security in the outer space and other countries.

"Relevant departments of China are closely watching the situation and working out preventive measures," Liu said.

According to news reports, the US Defense Department is planning to shoot down a damaged spy satellite that is expected to hit the Earth in early March. The satellite, which contains toxic fuel, has been out of control shortly after its launch in 2006.

(Xinhua News Agency February 18, 2008)