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, found out on 5 September that they had lost all access to NASA's systems and facilities, Bloomberg news reported, citing sources.
NASA then confirmed this, stating that Chinese nationals would be restricted from using the agency's facilities, materials and networks to ensure the security of our work.
China's accelerated space program has alarmed the US and intensified the race between the two largest economies.
Chinese astronauts are already excluded from the International Space Station (ISS) due to US restrictions against sharing data with China. The latest restrictions from NASA escalate the decline in scientific collaboration between the two nations, driven by national security fears.
As both nations vie for technological advancement, suspicions have made it increasingly difficult for Chinese students, particularly those in science and technology fields, to obtain visas or to gain entry into the US even after securing a visa.
Multiple recent incidents in the US involving alleged espionage by Chinese nationals, especially scientists, have intensified scrutiny.
It's unclear how much notice NASA provided to the Chinese nationals working for the agency. Reports indicate that many of them found themselves suddenly barred from participating in meetings or accessing crucial data systems.
NASA's press secretary, Bethany Stevens, confirmed that the agency had taken internal action pertaining to Chinese nationals - including restricting physical and cybersecurity access to our facilities.
China has openly expressed its ambitions in space technology, aiming to send crews to the moon as it competes with the US. NASA's acting administrator, Sean Duffy, remarked, We're in a second space race right now, emphasizing the urgency to outpace the Chinese in lunar exploration.
He stated, The Chinese want to get back to the moon before us. That's not going to happen. Meanwhile, a senior Chinese official labeled US concerns as unnecessary, framing their space endeavors as a collective mission for humanity.
The competition is about more than merely reaching the moon; it's also about acquiring control over its potential resources, with the moon holding vital minerals and rare earths essential for various technologies.
US lawmakers have underlined the necessity for America to establish a presence on the moon ahead of China, with Republican senator Ted Cruz warning about the potential risks if adversaries secure dominant space capabilities.
