Space Exploration
Technology
China’s space rise is real — yet key gaps still keep the US ahead
Beijing is rapidly catching up to Washington in the global space economy, with China dominating key dual-use technologies. However, Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Li Kang finds out that China still lags behind in scale.
Li Kang
10 Jun 2026
Technology
From moonshots to market share: China’s Space+ strategy
China is unifying its space activities into a unified national ecosystem as it moves beyond mission-specific exploration to industrialisation and ecosystem building. Australian researcher Genevieve Donnellon-May explains how economic pursuits align with the strategic shift in how China views its role in the global space order.
Genevieve Donnellon-May
17 Mar 2026
Technology
[Big read] The US-China moon race is more dangerous than ever
More than 50 years after Apollo, the US races back to the moon amid growing fears that China could beat it. What was once a symbol of exploration is now a high-stakes arena of strategic rivalry. Lianhe Zaobao’s correspondent Yush Chau finds out more.
Yush Chau
23 Dec 2025
Technology
How Qi Faren helped launch China into space — and why it still matters
Qi Faren, chief designer of China’s Shenzhou 5, shared his lifelong dedication to China’s aerospace journey — from early missile development to manned spaceflight — with Lee Huay Leng, editor-in-chief of SPH’s Chinese Media Group, in 2004. In the interview collected in Lee’s new book,《思索的长度》(A Long Thought), Qi reflected on patriotism, self-reliance and the spirit that has driven China’s space program through adversity — values that continue to underpin the country’s pursuit of technological advancement today.
Lee Huay Leng
22 Aug 2025
Politics
Elon Musk’s political misadventure ends in public ruin
Politics and business are bad bedfellows, says columnist Deng Yuwen, who discusses the factors — like personality and ideological clashes — that led to the Trump-Musk split, and tells us why he thinks Elon Musk is the biggest loser from the situation.
Deng Yuwen
13 Jun 2025
Technology
Does Elon Musk’s Starship outshine Chinese rockets?
Lianhe Zaobao’s China Desk takes a look at the recent successful test flight of SpaceX’s Starship, and what it means for the reignited space race between the US and China. Who will be the next to make it to the moon?
China Desk, Lianhe Zaobao
22 Oct 2024
Politics
In the new space battleground, will China be on the losing end?
Chinese military commentator Song Zhongping observes that space has become the new battleground for US-China and there is even a risk of the nuclear weaponisation of space. Will the alignment of allies in space be an extension of that on earth, potentially isolating China?
Song Zhongping
04 Jun 2024
Technology
China narrows gap with US in space travel
China has made great strides in its space exploration efforts in the past few years, most recently with the successful launch of Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship. However, Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan notes that while China is narrowing the gap in aerospace technology with the US, there is still a long way to go to catch up.
Yu Zeyuan
03 May 2024
Politics
China's strides in spaceflight put the US on notice
China's recent third launch of a reusable test spacecraft clearly demonstrates that China is closing the gap with the US in spaceflight technology. Its strides in remote sensing satellite technology would also help it achieve greater military conflict preparedness. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan explains.
Yu Zeyuan
22 Dec 2023