'Space race' shows some still cling to Cold War script

On Thursday, US National Aeronautics and Space Administration chief Bill Nelson visited Argentina and talked about China's achievements in lunar and space exploration at a news conference, claiming that there is a "space race" between China and the United States.

This is a term full of Cold War connotations, and it is now being brought to the hot topic of international space cooperation in Argentina by Nelson. No wonder local media commented that Nelson's visit "has a political purpose".

Nelson's visit to hype up a so-called "space race" is believed to have an important intent to provoke and disrupt China-Argentina space cooperation. The China-Argentina Joint Space Exploration Station in Neuquen, Argentina, is China's first deep-space tracking station overseas, which was officially put into operation in 2017. It is intended for peaceful development and utilization of outer space by China and Argentina and is open to the international community. Currently, many scientific research institutions from various countries, including the US, have used this station. Diplomats from the US, Europe, and other countries stationed in Argentina have also visited the station in person to understand its civilian nature.

But there have been continuous rumors and insinuations from the US side, making baseless accusations of the "military purposes" of China's space cooperation with Argentina.

Actually, as early as 2012, the European Space Agency established a deep-space station in Argentina, located about 480 kilometers away from the China-Argentina joint space exploration station. So why does the US only target China?

In March, Argentinian Ambassador to the US Jorge Arguello wrote a letter to US Republican Congressman Darin LaHood, refuting the allegation of Chinese military presence in his country.

Nelson's recent scaremongering is a reflection of the US' hegemonic ambition to dominate both the Earth and space. In 2020, the US Department of Defense released the space defense strategy to establish a Space Force, claiming space is a unique theater of war.

The US still wishes to replay the script of the Cold War era. However, the world will not accept such an approach.

The United Nations Outer Space Treaty is crystal clear in stating that "outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means." No country can claim ownership or jurisdiction over outer space or any part of it, nor can they exclude others.