The Chinese mainland has reiterated its commitment to fostering space cooperation with the United States, according to a statement by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Thursday. This announcement follows NASA Administrator Bill Nelson's congratulations on the successful Chang'e-6 mission.
Mao emphasized the historic achievement of Chang'e-6, which completed the world's first sampling and takeoff on the far side of the moon, marking a significant milestone in humanity's peaceful use of outer space. She highlighted the positive global reception of the mission, reflecting widespread appreciation for the advancements made.
Despite established frameworks like the working group on Earth science and space science cooperation, and the China-U.S. civil space dialogue mechanism, Mao pointed out that domestic U.S. legislation, specifically the Wolf Amendment, poses challenges to seamless collaboration. The Wolf Amendment, enacted in 2011, restricts NASA from engaging in direct or indirect cooperation with the Chinese mainland.
Bill Nelson has expressed a desire to enhance space dialogue and cooperation with the Chinese mainland, signaling a potential shift towards more collaborative efforts. Mao urged the U.S. to take practical steps to eliminate these legislative obstacles, suggesting that such measures are essential for advancing joint space initiatives.
As both nations navigate these challenges, the prospect of increased space cooperation remains a beacon of hope for international collaboration in exploring the final frontier.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
