China Unveils Moon Village Center to Boost Global Deep Space Ties
China launched the Moon Village Center in Hefei to foster international deep space cooperation, with UNOOSA support.
China has taken a significant step toward deepening international collaboration in space exploration with the unveiling of the Moon Village Center China in Hefei, the capital of Anhui Province. The launch took place on Thursday during the opening ceremony of the 2026 International Deep Space Exploration Conference.
Alongside the new center, four joint laboratories dedicated to advancing deep space research were also inaugurated. The conference drew participants from more than 40 countries, underscoring the growing global interest in cooperative space ventures.
Driss El Hadani, deputy director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), welcomed China's efforts, stating that initiatives by China and other spacefaring nations create meaningful opportunities for international cooperation. He emphasized that such frameworks enable member states, particularly developing countries, to take part in deep space exploration and contribute to scientific experimentation.
El Hadani highlighted the importance of cooperation from the UN's perspective, noting that it can expand developing nations' access to space and its benefits. He called for greater inclusivity in space programs, urging transparency in sharing information and opening activities to developing countries. This approach, he said, aligns with UN treaties and fosters a more inclusive space community.