Thread by @AJ_FI

Chang'e-5 press conference happening now

A few things from the CE-5 presser: Wu Yanhua: China will be sharing samples with scientists from other countries. methods for the management to be issued. As with US, Russia, the samples to be shared with institutions including the United Nations.

Later, asked if samples will be shared with NASA, Wu says: "First, in accordance with the Outer Space Treaty, outer space resources are the common asset of humanity. We will act upon the relevant treaties." -- this sounds like a shot at the Artemis Accords.

"Second, Chinese govt is ready to share samples inc data with all like-minded institutions from other countries. It has been unfortunate however after a Congressional act adopted in 2011 US space institutions have been blocked from cooperating with China, which is the Wolf Act."

"On the basis of equality, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation we are willing to conduct sincere and friendly cooperation with US institutions." -- you could interpret this as an open door or shot at US stance towards China.

Other topics: Human spaceflight: Wu says the first module of the Chinese Space Station will be launched early next year (this is expected). 11 missions over the next 2 years or so, inc. module, crew, and cargo launches.

China and Italy have an agreement on a second CSES (China Seismo-Electromagnetic Satellite) Chinese–Italian satellite to monitor seismic activity, even lead to better earthquake predicition.

Wu reiterates plans for Chang'e-6, 7, 8, and international lunar research base, including cooperation with relevant countries. Planetary missions planned are Near Earth Asteroid sample-return, Mars sample-return, Jupiter system explorer.

"For future lunar exploration tasks we are carrying out assessments... Space bases and space stations...The lunar sample return can be seen as a foundation on which we can do more. This opens up opportunities for our future work."

Xu Hongliang on lunar samples: Formulated the methods for the management of the samples and data. We will work with other govt depts in China and release plans for public solicitation and later release plans.

CCTV: Crewed missions to the moon in the future?
Wu: The people and media care about this a lot. The Chinese government always delivers a determined blueprint. We have already achieved plans from 16 years ago for the Moon and approaching the goals for Chinese Space Station.

Re: Moon? Currently working on breakthroughs in key technologies. If we can achieve this, make good use of the space station, we will consider crewed Moon missions. And if we do, goal of Chinese government will be different from that of what the US & USSR wanted...

...They were competing in a ‘Star Wars’; we want to conduct scientific research and benefit humanity. We want to know more about the ecological and environmental data of the Moon.

Concluding, Wu says: Many countries have the capabilities for lunar and deep space exploration. There is so much we don’t understand about the universe. So far we only know the tip of the iceberg. So for major countries they are duty-bound to conduct deep space exploration...

...where they can. For China, this is what we are doing. We are conducting exploration as a contribution to the welfare of humanity.

For lunar exploration we have already completed the three steps. Going forward, focus will be 3 parts. Exploration, construction and utilization.

Exploration is studying the environment of the moon in various categories. Construction, we are planning to build certain infrastructure on the moon including satellites to provide a basis for long-term studies and the production of power. Utilization, we need to be able to...

utilize the resources on the moon and the data we have collected. Whether we can conduct crewed travel to the moon, it can work technologically but the cost would be huge. So my view is that the lunar programs will focus on science first and foremost.