The Chang'e-6 lunar soil sample presentation ceremony was held at the United Nations Headquarters in Vienna

China News Service, Beijing, September 15th According to news from the China National Space Administration on the 15th, on September 14th local time, a donation ceremony for Chang'e-6 lunar soil samples was held at the United Nations Headquarters in Vienna.

Shan Zhongde, director of the China National Space Administration, signed a lunar soil donation agreement with the United Nations on behalf of the Chinese government and the United Nations, and unveiled the lunar soil samples together with Li Song, China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Vienna and other international organizations, Director General of the United Nations Office in Vienna Zhu Ma, and Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs Hora Maini.

What China is gifting to the United Nations this time is the lunar soil samples collected by the Chang'e-6 mission, humanity's first lunar backside sampling return mission. The samples will be permanently displayed in the outer space exhibition area of ​​the United Nations Headquarters in Vienna together with the 1:1 model of the Chang'e-3 lunar rover previously donated, presenting the results of China's lunar exploration project landing on the moon and the first unmanned lunar backside sampling return.

Shan Zhongde said that China has deepened practical cooperation in aerospace with more than 50 countries and international organizations through satellite development, payload loading, data sharing, talent training, outer space governance and other forms. In the future, we will continue to promote international aerospace cooperation in multiple fields such as joint satellite development, space data sharing, and global governance of outer space, promote the innovative development of space science, space technology, and space applications, provide more aerospace public service products for the benefit of all mankind, and jointly create a new situation of global aerospace cooperation of equality, mutual benefit, and win-win cooperation, so that aerospace science and technology achievements can better benefit mankind.

Li Song pointed out that the lunar soil donation is a powerful manifestation of China's promotion of building a community with a shared future for mankind, its active implementation of four major global initiatives, and its implementation of multilateralism with practical actions. China is willing to work with international partners to embark on a new journey in outer space and promote a more fair and reasonable global governance of outer space.

Zhuma said that China's aerospace has achieved a series of achievements in recent years that have attracted world attention. China has always firmly supported the United Nations in playing its core role. At this critical period when the United Nations is facing internal and external challenges, the donation of lunar soil samples reflects China's responsibility and actions as a major country.

Hora-Maini said that China has achieved the first sample return of a human spacecraft from the far side of the moon. These samples contain all mankind’s continuous pursuit of the mysteries of the universe and will encourage all parties to make full use of the UN Committee on Outer Space Affairs platform to promote global governance of outer space. (over)