Lunar soil samples collected by China debut at UN Vienna headquarters

Samples from both the near and far side of the moon collected by China's Chang'e-5 and Chang'e-6 missions were displayed publicly for the first time at the United Nations in Vienna during the 68th session of Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) on June 25.

China's National Space Administration and Permanent Mission to the UN in Vienna jointly hosted an exhibition themed on China's lunar exploration in the past 20 years.

In his opening remarks, China's Permanent Representative to the UN and Other International Organizations in Vienna Ambassador Li Song said the samples demonstrate China's proactive commitment to further expanding international cooperation in lunar exploration.

Aarti Holla-Maini, director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, warmly congratulated China on its major achievements in space exploration and expressed hope that China, as a leading space faring nation, will continue to guide and support COPUOS as the primary platform for global space governance.

Numerous delegates, representatives and officials from international agencies praised the sharing of cooperation opportunities and expressed eagerness to participate in upcoming China-led space projects.