On September 29, 2024, China achieved a historic milestone by successfully collecting lunar samples from the far side of the Moon, a region never visible from Earth. The Chang'e-6 mission returned 1,935.3 grams of samples, following the previous Chang'e-5 mission, which brought back 1,731 grams from the near side in December 2020.
The samples were presented in Beijing, where Chinese President Xi Jinping praised the mission, stating, "Twenty years of lunar missions is just one example of our nation's strength. We have achieved top science and strong results independently." He emphasized the need for international cooperation in space exploration.
Despite the success, U.S.-China collaboration remains limited due to a 2011 law prohibiting NASA from cooperating with China. However, American researchers have obtained an exception to study the Chinese samples, with NASA confirming no risk of technology transfer.
Currently, the Chang'e-6 samples are being sorted in Beijing, with some already on display at the National Museum of China. The samples have diplomatic significance, with previous lunar samples being shared with leaders in Russia and France.
NASA plans to return to the Moon through the Artemis program, which includes participation from 43 countries. However, technical issues have delayed the next crewed mission until at least September 2025. In contrast, China's ambitious space program is fully funded by the government, showcasing its growing capabilities in space exploration.