China shares rare Moon rocks with US despite trade war

In a remarkable development, China has decided to allow scientists from six different countries, including the United States, to study Moon rocks that were collected during its Chang'e-5 mission in 2020. This decision comes at a time when the US and China are engaged in a challenging trade war, which has seen both nations imposing high tariffs on each other's goods. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) made this announcement on Thursday, with CNSA chief Shan Zhongde emphasizing that these lunar samples are 'a shared treasure for all humanity. ' This statement highlights the importance of scientific collaboration, even amidst political tensions. However, it is important to note that Chinese researchers have faced restrictions in accessing NASA's Moon samples due to laws enacted by US lawmakers. Since 2011, NASA has been prohibited from collaborating with China or any Chinese-owned companies unless Congress provides specific authorization. John Logsdon, a former director of the Space Policy Institute at George Washington University, commented on the situation, stating that the exchange of Moon rocks is largely unrelated to political issues. He pointed out that while there are regulations concerning space technology, the examination of lunar samples does not carry any military significance. Logsdon remarked, 'It's international cooperation in science which is the norm. ' This perspective underscores the idea that scientific inquiry often transcends political boundaries. The trade war between the US and China has led to significant economic consequences, with the US imposing tariffs on Chinese goods that can reach as high as 245%. In retaliation, China has implemented tariffs of 125% on US products. Although US President Donald Trump has hinted at the possibility of reducing tensions in the trade war, China has denied any ongoing negotiations between the two nations. In 2023, the CNSA issued a call for applications from scientists interested in studying the Chang'e-5 Moon samples. These samples are particularly intriguing because they are believed to be a billion years younger than those collected during the Apollo missions. Dr. Logsdon explained that this finding suggests that volcanic activity on the Moon occurred more recently than previously thought. Last year, there were reports that space officials from both the US and China attempted to negotiate an exchange of Moon samples, but it appears that this deal did not come to fruition. The two US institutions selected to study the samples are Brown University and Stony Brook University, while other successful applicants include institutions from France, Germany, Japan, Pakistan, and the UK. Shan from the CNSA expressed optimism about the future of international space collaboration, stating that the agency will 'maintain an increasingly active and open stance' in sharing space information and fostering cooperation. He believes that China's network of partnerships in space will continue to expand.