It is a crime only if China does it
US is getting ready to shoot down a defunct spy satellite. Read here. http://www.space.com/news/ap-080214-spy-satellite-shootdown.html. The funny thing is that US was causing so much noise against space arms race discussions put forward by Russia and China (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/12/content_7593704.htm) mainly pointing out Chinese action last year of shooting down a weather satellite.
This is yet another example of the unfairness and autocracy of the US administration when it comes to peace talks. Well, when a country spends more on arms than every other country combined, it is hard to believe there will be a reasonable effort from them for peace.