Space exploration can benefit humans

Approach of China and US totally different

Space exploration has become a new battlefield as certain countries are using it to flex their military muscles. Unlike China, whose space exploration focuses on basic scientific research, the US has used space technology to build space shuttles for serving various purposes. The space research conducted by China and the US are totally different in nature.

Many countries, especially China and Russia, have strongly opposed attempts to militarize space, but the US has used advanced technology to maintain its advantages in space. So, to protect its own interests and security, China, too, should build its own space force.

Some people believe that allocating huge funds for space research and exploration could squeeze the resources allocated to improve people's livelihoods. Such misgivings are unwarranted because advancement in space technology would in turn help many an industry to develop faster and generate more economic benefits for the people.

Rear Admiral Yang Yi, former director general of the Institute of Strategic Studies, National Defense University PLA