The two former Cold War allies, Russia and China, are teaming up to construct a ‘complex of experimental research facilities’ on and around the moon.
Russia’s national space agency, Roscosmos has signed a memorandum of understanding with China to construct a joint lunar space station.
According to Deutsche Welle, the station is envisioned as a ‘complex of experimental research facilities created on the surface and/or in the orbit of the moon’.
The countries have agreed to cooperate closely on designing, implementing and presenting the project, according to the Russian statement.
Deutsche Welle said China’s ambassador to Russia confirmed the agreement.
According to the report, Beijing and the Kremlin have sought to strengthen their ties since 2014 after Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea strained its relations with the West.
The report also notes that Russia cooperates with the US on space exploration, and that NASA is currently planning to build a lunar station in cooperation with Japan, Canada and Europe.