Opinion | China’s earthly concerns take priority over ‘space race’ with US
- Any such race requires speed and competition, neither of which appear to be present in the US or Chinese space programmes of late
- If China ever makes significant progress towards commercialising space resources, the US could then change and start competing
Who will win this space race? Can the US beat China like it once did the Soviet Union? Sorry to disappoint, but there is no space race between the US and China.
Any such race requires speed and competition, neither of which have been part of the US or Chinese space programmes so far. China is not engaging in a race as the Communist Party leadership’s top priority is avoiding the disintegration that ended the Soviet Union.
01:48
China launches mission to Mars with lift-off of home-grown Tianwen-1 spacecraft
Its leaders are understandably sensitive to the consequences of pointless competition for the sake of prestige. The Communist Party prioritises sustainability. There is no need to put beating the US in space above improving living conditions and eradicating poverty.