China gives US access to its moon rocks despite trade war

China will allow scientists from the United States to examine rocks collected from the moon, even as the two countries are engaged in a trade war.

The China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced on Apr. 24 that two Nasa-funded U.S. institutions were given access to the lunar samples.

The samples were collected by the uncrewed Chang'e-5 mission in 2020.

Reuters reported that the collaboration is Beijing's move to increase the international influence of its lunar exploration programme.

Six countries give access

The U.S. is one of six countries — including France, Germany, Japan, Pakistan, the UK — whose scientists were given access to the samples.

In total, seven institutions can borrow the lunar rocks, including two from the U.S.: Brown University and the State University of New York.

CNSA chief Shan Zhongde said the samples were "a shared treasure for all humanity", according to Chinese media.

U.S. restricts access to China

It has not been a two-way street when it comes to scientific exchanges though.

Chinese researchers have not been able to access Nasa's moon samples because of restrictions on the space agency's collaboration with China.

The restrictions were imposed by U.S. lawmakers.

Under the 2011 law, Nasa is banned from collaboration with China or any Chinese-owned companies, unless it is specifically authorised by Congress.

China's lunar missions

China became only the third country to collect rocks from the lunar surface, after the Soviet Union and the U.S., which last went to the moon and retrieved samples in 1972.

China became the first country to bring back rocks from the side of the moon facing away from Earth in its subsequent uncrewed Chang'e-6 mission, completed in June 2024.

Beijing hopes to use its space prowess to forge closer political ties with close partners and U.S. allies alike, it was also reported.

Top photos via Nasa Moon Facebook