(CNN) China and Russia have agreed to jointly construct a lunar space station that will be "open to all countries," the China National Space Administration said in a statement on Tuesday. "China and Russia will use their accumulated experience in space science, research and development as well as the use of space equipment and space technology to jointly develop a road map for the construction of an international lunar scientific research station (ILRS)," China's space agency said. Russia was a founding partner of the International Space Station (ISS), alongside the United States and other contributing nations and space agencies. To date, the ISS remains mankind's only operational and permanently inhabited space station. Unlike Russia, China is not involved in ISS initiatives, however, owing in part to US federal legislation barring co-operation with Beijing on space projects.

Source: The Nation March 10, 2021 06:12 UTC