China officially donated a lunar sample collected by its Chang'e-6 mission to the United Nations (UN) in a handover ceremony at UN headquarters in Vienna, Austria, marking the first time a sample from the far side of the Moon has been handed over to the organization.
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The handover ceremony was co-hosted by the China National Space Administration, the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Vienna, and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. More than 400 guests, including heads of international organizations in Vienna and permanent representatives from various countries, attended.
CNSA Head Shan Zhongde, UN Office Vienna Director-General Monica Juma, UNOOSA Director Aarti Holla-Maini, and China's Permanent Representative to the UN and Other International Organizations in Vienna Li Song jointly presented the lunar samples, which will be permanently exhibited at UN headquarters in Vienna. China stands ready to share the fruits of space development with countries around the world, share opportunities, and create common prosperity, so that progress in space science and technology can bring greater benefits to people in all countries, he said.
Exploring the vast universe is a shared dream and eternal pursuit of mankind, Shan said in his remarks, noting that Chinese President Xi Jinping has conveyed that the Chang'e lunar mission belongs to China as well as to all people of the world.
The handover of lunar samples collected by Chang'e-6 to the UN represents China's concrete action in putting into practice the four major global initiatives proposed by Xi, fully implementing the new development philosophy that highlights innovative, coordinated, green, open and inclusive growth, upholding true multilateralism, safeguarding the authority and role of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space as the main platform for global space governance, and advancing the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Shan explained.
China is ready to share the fruits of space development with countries around the world, share opportunities, and create common prosperity, so that progress in space science and technology can bring greater benefits to people in all countries, he said.
China will work with all countries to advance peaceful space exploration and make better contributions to building a community with a shared future for mankind, Shan added.
The permanent exhibition of lunar samples at the UN headquarters in Vienna is of great significance, he said, adding that the samples represent the scientific and technological creativity and determination of mankind to explore the universe, while also demonstrating China's support for the UN in addressing shared challenges.
Holla-Maini said China's handover of lunar samples and the sharing of scientific research data perfectly illustrate that space is a shared domain for all mankind.
He expressed hope that the lunar samples will continue to tell the story of human lunar exploration in Vienna and contribute to the advancement of global space governance.
At the event, Li said the event demonstrates China's commitment to working with all parties to uphold the role of the UN, enhance global space governance, and ensure that the benefits of space exploration and development reach all mankind.
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