China's donation of a lunar sample collected by the Chang'e-6 mission to the UN reflects its major-country responsibility for the peaceful use of outer space and improving global governance of outer space, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun at a press briefing in Beijing on Tuesday.
Guo made the remarks in response to a media query about the donation at a ceremony on Monday jointly held by the China National Space Administration, China's Permanent Mission to the UN and Other International Organizations in Vienna, and the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs.
The sample is the first lunar soil ever collected from the far side of the moon.
"China's handover of the lunar sample collected from the far side of the moon by the Chang'e-6 mission to the United States is a concrete action to put into practice the four major global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping, reflects China's firm support for the United Nations and multilateralism, and demonstrates its major-country responsibility for the peaceful use of outer space and improving global governance of outer space. China looks forward to working with all countries to uphold international law with the Outer Space Treaty as its cornerstone, follow the most important principle of exploring and using outer space for peaceful purposes, firmly oppose turning outer space into a weaponized zone or a battlefield, and jointly make advances in space science and technology better benefit people of all countries, so that outer space becomes a platform for win-win cooperation of all humanity," Guo said.
Chang'e-6 returned to Earth on June 25, 2024, carrying 1,935.3 grams of material from the lunar far side, the first samples ever retrieved from that part of the moon.
Spokesman on China's moon sample donation to UN
China's box office revenues, including ticket pre-sales, have surpassed 29 billion yuan (4.2 billion U.S. dollars) for 2026, with 737 million admissions and 106 million screenings recorded so far this year.
A dazzling lineup of summer hits have broken multiple records and drawn audiences back to theaters, with the three-month summer movie season from June to August recording an all-time high revenue of 12.498 billion yuan, up 4.45 percent from the 11.96 billion yuan in the previous summer.
Among this year's top performers is "Once Upon a Time in the Middle East." Set in a war-torn Middle Eastern city, the film follows a Chinese cook who travels abroad in search of a better life, weaving anti-war themes into a culinary story with a cross-cultural commentary.
Hong Kong director Stephen Chow's sports comedy Kung Fu Soccer about a team of female footballers has so far grossed over 2.33 billion yuan at the box office.
"Dear You," a Chaoshan (Teochew)-dialect film, tells a moving story of homesickness and family ties among overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia. Its global box office has now surpassed 2.1 billion yuan.
"All Wishes Come True," which draws inspiration from the classic Chinese folk tale "The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea", has been released across North America, Southeast Asia, Australia, and Europe, and has topped the charts among Chinese-language films in several countries.
In addition to its box office success, the film has also driven tourists to the real-world landscapes that inspired it.
Penglai in Yantai City, east China's Shandong Province has long been associated with the "Eight Immortals" legend.
At the heart of the destination is Penglai Pavilion, a historic complex overlooking the Yellow Sea.
Visitors can explore "Eight Immortals"-themed products, ride a panoramic cable car or take a speedboat across the sea.
Nearly 20 scenic spots and commercial areas are offering special deals to moviegoers, with some promotions running through September 30.
"Penglai is a very famous place. After watching 'All Wishes Come True,' I wanted to bring my child here. It really feels like stepping into the story," said one visitor.
China's 2026 box office revenues hit 29 billion yuan
