The US space agency NASA has blocked Chinese citizens with valid US visas from its facilities - a move that effectively bars them from working at one of the most respected space research centers.
Chinese nationals, who could only work at NASA as contractors or students contributing to research, were informed on 5 September that they had lost all access to NASA's systems and facilities, as reported by Bloomberg news.
NASA confirmed this restriction, citing the protection of its work as the reason for preventing Chinese nationals from using the agency's facilities, materials, and networks. This decision comes amid rising tensions regarding China's accelerating space program and the ensuing competition with the US.
Under current US regulations, Chinese astronauts are excluded from the International Space Station since NASA has been barred from sharing its data with China. This latest restriction represents a further decline in scientific collaboration between the two nations, driven primarily by national security concerns.
As both countries vie for technological superiority in space, mutual suspicion has increased, particularly affecting the ability of Chinese students studying science and technology to obtain visas or even enter the US after securing visas.
Allegations of espionage involving Chinese nationals, particularly scientists, have also intensified scrutiny. Reports indicate that some Chinese nationals found themselves unexpectedly barred from accessing NASA's data systems and meetings.
Nasa's press secretary, Bethany Stevens, confirmed that actions taken included restricting access to facilities and cybersecurity measures for Chinese nationals. As China continues to assert its space ambitions, both countries are rapidly progressing towards a renewed space race.
Nasa’s acting administrator, Sean Duffy, highlighted the urgency of the situation during a recent press conference, emphasizing the US goal of achieving lunar landing superiority and dismissing any notion of Chinese precedence. He reinforced the idea that China's rapid advancements pose a significant risk to US interests.
Senator Ted Cruz echoed these sentiments, illustrating the importance of maintaining a leading edge in space technology, asserting that the stakes have never been higher. The competition extends beyond lunar exploration, encompassing control over valuable resources such as rare earth minerals and helium found on the Moon, which are critical for a variety of technologies.
