China, Russia planning lunar research base

China’s space agency on Wednesday announced plans to build a lunar base with Russia, signaling the beginning of a partnership between the two neighboring countries in space.

The Associated Press reported that the China National Space Administration said it planned to construct a “comprehensive scientific experiment base with the capability of long-term autonomous operation.” The two countries reportedly inked the agreement on Tuesday.

The planned base will be “built on the lunar surface and/or on the lunar orbit that will carry out … scientific research activities such as the lunar exploration and utilization, lunar-based observation, basic scientific experiment and technical verification,” added the agency.

While the project will be headed by China and Russia’s respective space agencies, the two countries reportedly envision opening it up to astronauts from other countries as well. China’s statement indicated that the base would be “open to all interested countries and international partners,” and serve the purpose of scientific discovery.

The news comes as Russia’s space program has been surpassed in recent years by nearby countries including China and India. 

Russia’s space agency announced last year that it was beginning a new lunar program that aims to put a lander on the moon later this year.

The Kremlin also reportedly tested an anti-satellite missile last year.

U.S. Space Force officials also said last year that two Russian satellites were tailing a U.S. spy satellite, in what they said at the time was an “unusual and disturbing” situation.