What part of everything under the heavens is unclear when it comes to Chinese Communist Party ambitions?
Huh:
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson recently expressed concerns over China's aims in space, and in particular, that China would, in some way, claim ownership over the moon and stop other countries from exploring it. In an interview with a German newspaper (opens in new tab), Nelson cautioned that "we must be very concerned that China is landing on the moon and saying: 'It's ours now and you stay out.'" China immediately denounced the claims as a "lie (opens in new tab)."
I'm sure that the arguments against China's claims are quite learned and based on international law and historical practice:
Legally, China cannot take over the moon because it is against current international space law. The Outer Space Treaty, adopted in 1967 and signed by 134 countries, including China, explicitly states (opens in new tab) that "Outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means" (Article II (opens in new tab)). Legal scholars have debated the exact meaning of "appropriation (opens in new tab)", but under a literal interpretation, the treaty indicates that no country can take possession of the moon and declare it an extension of its national aspirations and prerogatives. If China tried to do this, it would risk international condemnation and a potential international retaliatory response.
I'm still deeply moved by the international community's condemnation and retaliation over China's illegal South China Sea claims.
I'm also sure that China doesn't care about the legal aspect. They'll make something up. One update to their official map makes it Chinese with only relative power standing between China and that territory.
NOTE: War coverage continues under this tag.
