Replying to US satellite shot down

I'll do a quick brief to catch everyone up so we can have a better discussion:

About a year ago, China blew up one of its satellites with a missile, creating massive debris and micrometeorites in a heavy traveled orbit lane. By many estimates, up to 45% of the junk up there originated from this act . International outrage followed, but not much was done other than verbal reprimand.

Fast forward to last week. The Pentagon releases a report that the launch of one of our spy satellites has failed and that theres a fuel tank filled with nasty crap that's going to fall out of orbit next month and potentially crash and effect human populations.

Last night; A missile from a US ship nails the satellite, destroying it and the threat, according to the Pentagon.

Today; China complains because we apparently told other countries, but not them. They basically throw everything we told them last year back at us.



So, what do you think this all was? A real potentially hazardous situation that the Pentagon quickly solved? Or a sham operation to test our missile defense system? An affront to China's act last year? Maybe to send a message? All of the above?