U.S. Vice President Mike Pence addresses the audience during the opening ceremony of the 70th International Astronautical Congress in Washington, the U.S., October 21, 2019. /VCG Photo
Editor's Note: Liu Jianxi is an opinion editor with CGTN Digital. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.
"Where is China?" The question popped up at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Washington this week. Having launched more missions to orbit than any other country in 2018, China's conspicuous absence from the 70-year-old global space conference triggered widespread concerns.
Delegates from a number of Chinese space companies did not show up at the week-long conference where China made quite an impact in past decades. Wu Yanhua, vice administrator of China National Space Administration (CNSA) who was supposed to speak at the event on Monday, was also absent.
While some attributed China's no-show to "time conflicts," attendees at the event said it was because of visa issues.
"[The visa applications of] all applicants from another Chinese space company called Spacety were refused," Bi Tingting, a sales manager of a Chinese telescope maker which was among the very few Chinese firms that made it to this year's event, was quoted by Xinhua as saying. She added that all technicians with her firm had failed to get a visa from U.S. authorities.
Quartz reporter Tim Fernholz also hinted at the visa problem in explaining China's absence. "Jan Woerner, the head of the European Space Agency, tells me that Yanhua could not attend because of difficulties obtaining a U.S. visa," Fernholz said on Twitter.
For decades, the United States has bragged about being a bastion of freedom. At this year's IAC, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence has once again vowed to defend the "rights of all freedom-loving nations in the vast expanse of space." But in reality, the U.S. interpretation of "freedom" is always ironically equated with excluding other countries from international cooperation.
Freedom is one of the most important human rights recognized by most countries across the world, but the U.S. version of freedom is a matter of political correctness. In U.S. history, "freedom" cannot be accurately interpreted without taking into consideration the country's political agendas. The word is merely an empty slogan for American politicians to pursue private gains. In the "realism" versus "political theater" game, the so-called American elites, without exception, have chosen "realism."
Apollo 11 Moon-walker Buzz Aldrin waits before the opening ceremony of the 70th International Astronautical Congress in Washington, the U.S., October 21, 2019. /VCG Photo
While U.S. eyes were riveted on the space progress of its main rival – the Soviet Union – in the Cold War period, the world's super power is now increasingly vigilant of China's space projects. "The Chinese have been preparing for whatever eventuality may be in the future, and … they have been experimenting with systems to interfere with our communications, our transmissions from satellites to drones," AFP quoted Jack Beard from the University of Nebraska's space law program as saying.
Wary of China's rapid rise, a 2011 U.S. law even barred NASA's space cooperation with Beijing. Despite American scientists' loud opposition, including Apollo 11 Moonwalker Buzz Aldrin, there is no sign that the U.S. would lift the restrictions on regular space collaborations with its imaginary enemy.
The exploration of outer space is a global cause concerning all living creatures on Earth, and thus requires collaboration among all international players. However, the U.S., having been used to its dominant status in the world, is still viewing all engagements with other players, especially rising ones, through a Cold War mentality. Between science freedom and Cold War mentality, the U.S., once again, chose the latter, shutting the IAC's door to China.
Pence's hypocritical remarks on freedom have further made the U.S. a clown in the whole farce. The attempt of the vice president to politicize regular science collaboration has triggered opposition at home as well. Around 200 people from the U.S. astronautical community signed a letter condemning Pence's incursion at the opening ceremony, according to Xinhua.
In fact, Washington's double standards on freedom are not only targeting China, but also all players deemed as potential rivals. This is perhaps the largest hindrance to equal and fair international collaborations. The U.S. should better put more efforts in overcoming its Cold War mentality before touting its freedom in international seminars.
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