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China's space programme

China's space programme
The China National Space Administration was founded more than 25 years ago and is overseeing an ambitious programme which includes deep space exploration, a manned space station, and cutting-edge advancements in technology, new materials, robotics and artificial intelligence.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
A view of the lunar surface as taken by the Chang’e-6 probe in June. Photo: EPA-EFE
Science

How China’s lunar find could fill ‘billion-year gap’ in magnetic field studies

Rocks brought back indicate lunar magnetic field may have shot up about 2.8 billion years ago, Chinese study in Nature says.

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Science

How the launch of China’s GuoWang satellites differs from its US Starlink rival

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Space

Hong Kong scientists to build robot for China’s Chang’e-8 moon mission

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Space

Editorial | Science the winner as Chinese astronauts spacewalk to record

Hi-tech advances in spacesuits resulting from previous missions helped make the nine-hour feat possible.

Shenzhou-19 astronaut Song Lingdong during his spacewalk outside China’s orbiting space station, in a screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Centre. Photo: Xinhua
Science

Chinese astronauts complete world record-breaking spacewalk at 9 hours

Shenzhou-19 crew members Cai Xuzhe and Song Lingdong installed space protection devices and conducted maintenance outside Tiangong.

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Chinese culture

Opinion | China’s scientific breakthroughs can lead to linguistic ones too

While English is used in most global scientific exchanges, publishing more papers in Chinese could facilitate linguistic innovation and inclusion.

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Education in Hong Kong

Hong Kong students to learn about Chinese science feats in subject revamp plan

Draft of updated junior secondary subject aims to help students ‘recognise’ country’s contributions to science, space exploration.

The Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship and a Long March-2F carrier rocket. Students will learn about China’s contributions to space exploration. Photo: Xinhua
Science

Chinese space defence expert Zhang Xiaoxin dies in car crash in Beijing

Zhang, 62, a pioneer in China’s space weather sector, is remembered for his outstanding contribution to monitoring and warning technology.

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Science

China launches first satellites for GuoWang project to rival SpaceX’s Starlink

The 13,000-satellite megaconstellation aims to provide global broadband internet coverage.

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Science

The English impediment: why Chinese scientists can’t use Chinese

In the world of science, English is the standard language. But could this be limiting talented Chinese academics?

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
China technology

How will new SMS partnership add to BeiDou’s Chinese user base?

China Telecom working with phone manufacturers to enable its 423 million mobile users to connect via satellites.

Women look at their phones near a display of planets from the solar system in Beijing on November 19. Photo: AP
China's economic recovery

What’s the state of China’s ‘space economy’ as commercial launches intensify?

Chasing the success of SpaceX, China’s commercial space industry is eyeing lofty gains despite setbacks and technological constraints.

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China launches new Long March 12 rocket, carrying broadband ‘test satellites’

The two-stage vehicle, powered by burning kerosene and liquid oxygen, is notable as China’s first 3.8-metre-wide rocket.

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China technology

China’s next-gen BeiDou satellite system to ramp up rivalry with US-based GPS

Existing BeiDou system, used in telecommunications, transport, and natural resource management, has also been expanding its use in developing countries.

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A model of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System is displayed at the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition. Photo: AP
Science

China declares space milestone in launch of ‘self-driving’ radar satellites

Mapping satellites expected to provide data on natural resources, urban safety, emergency response and maritime affairs.

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On Monday, a Long March-2C carrier rocket carrying two satellites blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre to send Siwei Gaojing-2 03 and 04 into the preset orbit. Photo: Xinhua
SCMP Highlights

Recap | China’s Death Star-like weapon system, SpaceSail rivals Starlink: 6 science stories

Explore China’s cutting-edge innovations and latest scientific advancements in some of our latest science coverage.

Science

How a Chinese spacecraft will catch Mars rock samples for journey to Earth

A lightweight device on an orbiting module will capture a container about the size of a coffee can.

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Science

World first as Chinese sample reveals ‘young’ volcanic activity on moon’s far side

Chinese and US scientists have come up with some surprising results after testing rock samples collected by the Chang’e-6 lunar mission.

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Scientists have already made a major discovery after testing began on samples collected by China’s Chang’e-6 probe from the far side of the moon. Photo: CNSA/Xinhua via AP
SCMP Highlights

Recap | Musk casts shadow on China’s space ambitions, moon sample swap stalls and more space news

US-China space rivalry, stalled moon sample swap talks, Shenzhou’s pioneering female space flight engineer and more latest China space news.

US-China relations

China’s space ambitions face ‘huge test’ from Musk presence in Trump White House

Chinese observers say Beijing needs to stick to its own milestones and avoid getting into a race with the US if possible.

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Science

Exclusive | Hopes dim for China and US space agencies to exchange moon samples

Space officials in China and the United States have been discussing a swap but Nasa has not been forthcoming, sources say.

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Negotiations have come to a standstill over an planned exchange of China’s Chang’e-5 lunar samples, pictured, and samples collected by America’s Apollo missions. Photo: Xinhua via AP
China-EU relations

Chinese leader gives moon dust to Italian President

The lunar samples, collected by the Chang’e-5 probe, follow similar gifts to the French and Russian presidents.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping presented his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella with samples collected from the moon. Photo: CGTN
Science

China’s Mars rover Zhurong finds evidence of ancient ocean on red planet

Data from Tianwen-1 mission offers clues about coastline of short-lived sea on Martian surface around 3.5 billion years ago, researchers say.

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Trending in China

Profile | Who is Wang Haoze? Little-known facts about China’s only woman space flight engineer

Trailblazing daughter of farmworker becomes rocket scientist enjoys ‘conquering unknown’ which brings ‘immense happiness’.

China's Shenzhou-18 space crew returns to Earth

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Science

Thailand set to be first country to join Chinese and US-led space initiatives

The Thai government has announced it will join the US-led Artemis Accords, despite also working with China on the ILRS.

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Thailand is set to become the first nation to join both the US-led Artemis Accords, a set of best practices for space exploration, and the Chinese-led ILRS, pictured, which aims to build a base on the moon. Photo: China National Space Administration
Science

China voices support for Nasa over botched Boeing Starliner space mission

China’s manned space agency supports ‘safety first’ approach and hopes for the safe return of Nasa’s two stranded astronauts.

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Shenzhou-19 lifts off with China’s third female astronaut

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