China is steadily advancing its space ambitions, aiming to land astronauts on the Moon by 2030 and eventually establish a lunar base, positioning itself as a major challenger to the United States in human spaceflight.
Read More: China tests new crew carrier for moon mission
The country’s crewed programme, known as Project 921, was launched in 1992 and has since completed around 15 missions. China sent its first astronaut, Yang Liwei, into space in 2003. After being excluded from the International Space Station, China developed its own orbital platform, the Tiangong, which has been operational since 2021.
The space station has enabled China to build expertise in critical areas such as docking, spacewalks and long-term habitation in orbit. Notably, the programme has maintained a strong safety record, with no fatal crewed missions reported.
Looking ahead, the China National Space Administration plans to send astronauts to the Moon by 2030. Preparations include testing the new Mengzhou spacecraft, expected to carry astronauts into lunar orbit, and developing the powerful Long March-10 rocket to support deep space missions. The Lanyue lander will be used to transport astronauts from orbit to the lunar surface.
China also aims to build a lunar research base, the International Lunar Research Station, near the Moon’s south pole by 2035, in collaboration with Russia. The site is believed to contain water ice and could support long-term exploration.
Read More: China plans lunar ‘Guanghan palace’ with special bricks
While China does not frame its efforts as a race, analysts note that its growing capabilities could challenge NASA, particularly as both nations target the same strategic lunar regions.