BEIJING: China on Monday rejected as an irresponsible smear a warning from NASA’s director that China might “take over” the moon as part of a military program, saying it has always called for the creation of a community of nations in space.
Over the last ten years, China has accelerated its space program with a focus on moon exploration. China’s first unmanned lunar landing took place in 2013, and by the end of this decade, it plans to launch rockets capable of carrying astronauts to the moon.
In an interview with the German newspaper Bild, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said: “We must be very concerned that China is landing on the moon and declaring: “It’s ours now and you stay out.”
According to the head of the US space agency, China’s space program is a military one, and China has stolen concepts and technology from other countries.
Zhao Lijian, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, stated: “This is not the first time the head of the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration has ignored the facts and spoken irresponsibly about China.”
“The US side has continuously built a smear campaign against China’s normal and reasonable space endeavors, and China firmly opposes such reckless remarks,” the US side has said.
He claimed that China has consistently supported the development of a shared future for humanity in space and opposed its militarization and any space arms race.
NASA intends to launch a crewed mission to orbit the moon as part of its Artemis program.
Unmanned missions to the south pole of the moon are being planned by China for this decade.
