Beijing is using space for 'diplomacy and influence', US lawmakers claim amid growing competition with Washington
US lawmakers call China the 'most consequential threat and competitor in space' at congressional hearing as both nations race to put astronauts on the moon
L'essentiel
- US lawmakers at a congressional hearing identified China as the 'most consequential threat and competitor in space,' warning that Beijing leverages its space capabilities 'as a tool of diplomacy and influence.' The two superpowers are in a tight race to the moon, with China targeting a 2030 crewed lunar landing and the US aiming to return astronauts by 2028 via the Artemis programme.
- A CSIS expert testified that the nation setting space standards will 'set the terms by which information flows, networks interoperate, and how the world is seen.'
Résumé généré par IA
Pourquoi c'est important
The US and China are engaged in a modern space race reminiscent of the Cold War-era competition with the Soviet Union. Both nations have set ambitious targets for crewed lunar missions, with the winner set to establish significant technological and diplomatic dominance in space governance standards.
China is the United States' "most consequential threat and competitor in space," leveraging its capabilities "as a tool of diplomacy and influence," US lawmakers were told at a congressional hearing on Wednesday, as the two countries' race to the moon intensifies.
The US and China are locked in a high-stakes space race, with both nations aiming to put astronauts on the moon in the coming years. While China has set a 2030 target for its first crewed lunar landing, the US' Artemis programme aims to return astronauts to the lunar surface by 2028 and to begin establishing an outpost by 2030, setting up a tight race between the two superpowers.
"As nations align with either the US or China in standards, the winner will not just supply technology – it will set the terms by which information flows, networks interoperate, and how the world is seen," said Kari Bingen, director of the Aerospace Security Project at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, at a hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe.
Randy Fine, a Republican congressman from Florida, told the hearing that when it comes to space, he is "very concerned about China, as I know many people are. I think China sees itself at war with us. I think we don't oftentimes look at it the same way".
The past year has seen several key developments in the modern space race, as the US completed the second successful mission in its Artemis programme and China made key advancements in preparation for its 2030 moon mission.
The US remains the only country to have successfully put humans on the moon. Other nations, including China, India, and the former Soviet Union, have successfully landed robotic missions on the lunar surface.
À surveiller
Perspective IA — des possibilités, pas des certitudes
More US congressional hearings on China space competition expected in coming months
Très probable · En quelques mois
Additional nations will be asked to sign space cooperation agreements with either US or China
Probable · En quelques mois
Questions ouvertes
- What specific diplomatic agreements has China made with other nations through space cooperation?
- How will the US respond to China's space diplomacy efforts?
- What are the exact timelines and technical challenges facing each nation's lunar programme?
