In a rare act of scientific diplomacy, China announced that it will allow researchers from six countries, including the United States, to study lunar rocks collected by its Chang’e-5 mission. The move comes even as Beijing and Washington remain entangled in a protracted trade war.
The China National Space Administration (CNSA) revealed on Thursday that two US institutions, Brown University and Stony Brook University — both funded by NASA — have been granted access to the Moon samples retrieved during the Chang’e-5 mission in 2020. CNSA chief Shan Zhongde described the lunar material as “a shared treasure for all humanity,” according to Chinese media reports.
This collaboration is notable because NASA itself is prohibited from working directly with China due to restrictions under a 2011 US law, which forbids bilateral cooperation unless explicitly authorized by Congress. As a result, Chinese scientists have historically been unable to examine Moon rocks collected during NASA’s Apollo missions.
Despite the backdrop of political rivalry, space policy expert John Logsdon told BBC Newshour that the current exchange of lunar samples should not be seen through a political lens. “This is international scientific cooperation, which is the norm,” said Logsdon, emphasizing that the research on lunar rocks poses no military significance.
Meanwhile, the broader US-China relationship remains fraught, with tariffs as high as 245% imposed on Chinese goods by Washington and retaliatory tariffs of up to 125% on American products from Beijing. Though former President Donald Trump had previously hinted at easing tensions, Chinese authorities have denied any formal negotiations.
The Chang’e-5 samples are of particular scientific interest because they are believed to be about a billion years younger than those brought back by the Apollo missions. This discovery could reshape understanding of the Moon’s volcanic history.
The CNSA had opened applications globally in 2023 for access to the lunar material. In addition to the two US universities, research institutions from France, Germany, Japan, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom were selected.
Reaffirming China’s commitment to international cooperation, Shan said the CNSA would continue to promote open exchanges, including through the “space information corridor” under the Belt and Road Initiative. “I believe China’s circle of friends in space will continue to grow,” he added.
