The 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, saying Chinese nationals would be restricted from using the agency's facilities, materials and networks to ensure the security of our work. This action coincides with increased anxiety over China's ambitions in space.
Chinese astronauts are already excluded from the International Space Station (ISS) because Washington has barred NASA from sharing its data with China. This latest restriction from NASA only adds to the decline in scientific collaboration between the two sides due to national security concerns.
As the US and China vie for technological supremacy, tensions escalate. Allegations of espionage targeting Chinese scientists have stirred fear within the US, impacting visa prospects for those pursuing careers in science and technology.
Reports suggest that NASA's sudden enforcement of this policy caught many scientists off guard and cut them off from necessary data access and project involvement. NASA's press secretary confirmed the internal action restricting both physical and cybersecurity access.
China has openly pursued extensive space exploration goals, trumpeting its intentions to reach the moon and beyond. NASA officials have warned, however, against the potential threats posed by Chinese advancements in space, emphasizing the need for the US to maintain leadership in space capabilities.
Amid these concerns, lawmakers such as Senator Ted Cruz have stressed the critical nature of ensuring US dominance in space exploration, referencing the moon's resource potential as a pivotal aspect of the ongoing race."
