China strengthens int'l cooperation on space exploration via Moon, Mars missions

China

China strengthens int'l cooperation on space exploration via Moon, Mars missions

2025-04-24 16:58 Last Updated At：04-25 00:27

China will strengthen collaboration with international partners in deep space exploration, said the China National Space Administration (CNSA) who released the lists of scientists authorized to join its lunar research as well as the invitation for its Mars sample-return mission on Thursday.

At a ceremony for Space Day of China held in Shanghai on Thursday, CNSA announced the results for loan of lunar samples returned by China's Chang'e-5 mission. A total of seven institutions from six countries gained the access. Five of them signed the loan agreement on site.

In addition, 10 moon exploration related projects were selected as the collaborative programs for Chang'e-8 mission.

"The event mainly focused on the distribution of samples from Chang'e-5 mission to international applicants. [Previously,] we invited experts to conduct a series of screenings on applications regarding their experimental schemes' scientificity and advanced level. Approved research and development institutions are able to gain the access to Chinese lunar samples. Currently, researches on lunar samples have entered a 'Chang'e era'," said Guan Feng, director of China National Space Administration’s Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Center.

Meanwhile, CNSA announced opportunities for international cooperation on the Tianwen-3 Mars sample-return mission, inviting global partners to jointly advance Mars exploration and research, thereby expanding humanity's understanding of the red planet.

The agency also added that the Tianwen-3 spacecraft will allocate 20 kilograms of resources for international collaboration.

"Tianwen-3 is mainly for collecting samples from Mars and returning them to the earth. In this mission, we also hope to go to Mars with our international colleagues, conducting some macroscopic and large-scale scientific explorations," Guan said.

The Tianwen-3 spacecraft comprises a lander, an ascent vehicle, a service module, an orbiter and a return module, and it is equipped with six scientific payloads.

The spacecraft is expected to be launched around the year of 2028.

ROK president calls for learning lesson from anti-aggression history

The Republic of Korea (ROK) and China should cherish the historical experience of jointly resisting aggression and continue to work together for a prosperous future, said ROK President Lee Jae Myung.

At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Lee will pay a state visit to China from Jan 4 to 7. It will be Lee's first visit to China since he took office last year.

In an interview with China Media Group (CMG) in Seoul on Wednesday, Lee said that humanity must learn from the past to prevent the tragedy of war from repeating itself.

"While pursuing their own national interests to the fullest extent, countries must not harm the national interests of others, but should coexist peacefully. The act of invading other countries and massacring their people for one's own benefit must never be repeated. History of humanity often repeats itself, therefore we must learn from the past. In this regard, I believe the historical experience of ROK and China in resisting aggression and fighting together is invaluable. Of course, while historical experience is important, we cannot remain stuck in the past. For a better future for the people of both countries, we need to continuously explore possibilities for working together towards the future," said the president.