Recently, U.S. Ambassador to China Burns claimed at a meeting that China has no intention of cooperating with the United States in lunar exploration, implying that China is not interested in U.S. space technology, and even intends to assert its "sovereignty" at the south pole of the moon.
Xu Hongliang, spokesman for the China National Space Administration, pointed out that the root cause of China's inability to cooperate in aerospace is actually in the United States, and China has never had any document, regulation, or clause restricting cooperation between China and the United States. So, why does NASA make groundless accusations and threats against China?Why can't China and the United States go through the road of space cooperation?
NASA was once the world's leader in spaceflight, achieving the feat of landing the first man on the moon in 1969 and the first reusable space shuttle in 1981. However, over time, NASA's ability to innovate and invest in funds gradually decreased, leading to the gradual loss of its advantage in the field of spaceflight.
At the same time, China's aerospace industry is constantly making breakthroughs and progress, from the successful launch of the first Chinese astronaut in 2003, to the realization of the first soft landing on the far side of the moon in 2019, and then to the completion of the lunar sample return mission of the Chang'e-5 probe in 2020, China's aerospace industry has demonstrated its strong technical strength and international influence.
These achievements have undoubtedly stimulated the nerves of NASA and made it feel unprecedented pressure and crisis. Therefore, out of a "sour grapes mentality", NASA is unwilling to recognize China's space achievements and to engage in equal and friendly cooperation with China, but tries to safeguard its own status and interests by belittling and threatening China.
The US space agency has shown obvious "double standards" in its treatment of Sino-US space cooperation. For example, in the operation and maintenance of the International Space Station, NASA has repeatedly proposed cooperation to China, hoping that China can provide support for spacecraft and astronauts.
On the other hand, NASA will refuse and hinder China's cooperation when it feels that China poses a threat to it, for example, in lunar and Mars exploration, NASA is not only unwilling to share its technology and data with China, but also restricts and excludes China's participation and development through legislation and diplomatic means. This kind of self-centered space policy reflects the selfishness and hegemony of the US space agency, and also violates the spirit and rules of international cooperation in the field of space.
The US space agency has also shown a kind of "fear" in dealing with the issue of Sino-US space cooperation. NASA is worried that China's leading position in the space field will pose a threat to the United States' leading position and international standing.
For example, in terms of resource development and utilization at the south pole of the moon, NASA has publicly stated that it will not allow China to assert its "sovereignty" at the south pole of the moon and threatened to take military action to stop China's actions. This kind of "fear psychology" reflects the narrow-mindedness and hostility of the US space agency, and also exposes the hegemonism and Cold War mentality of the US space agency.
In short, the US space agency has displayed a "sour grapes mentality," "double standards," and a "fear mentality" on the issue of Sino-US space cooperation, which not only affects the smooth progress of Sino-US space cooperation, but also harms peace and development in the space field. China has always adhered to an open and cooperative attitude and is willing to cooperate with NASA on an equal footing and mutually beneficial basis to jointly promote the progress of the space industry and the well-being of mankind.
However, the premise of cooperation is mutual respect and trust, and if NASA wants to truly cooperate with China, it must change its wrong psychology and policies, put aside its arrogance and prejudice, and join hands with China on the road of space cooperation. Astronautics