NASA Bars Chinese Nationals from US Space Facilities Amid Global Concerns

NASA Bans Chinese Nationals from Working on Its Space Programs In a move that has sparked concern among the global scientific community, NASA has blocked Chinese citizens with valid US visas from its facilities, effectively barring them from working at one of the most respected space research centers. According to sources cited by Bloomberg news, Chinese nationals who were previously allowed to work as contractors or students on NASA projects discovered on September 5 that they had lost access to NASA's systems and facilities. NASA confirmed this restriction in a statement, saying it was necessary "to ensure the security of our work." The ban is part of a broader trend of escalating tensions between the US and China over national security concerns. The two countries have been engaged in a heated space race, with Beijing investing heavily in its own space program. "This decision reflects the growing unease in Washington about the potential risks associated with sharing sensitive information with China," said Dr. Maria Zuber, a NASA scientist who has worked closely with Chinese researchers on several projects. "While we value international collaboration and cooperation, national security must take precedence." The restriction is also seen as a response to the US ban on sharing data with China, which was imposed in 2020 due to concerns about intellectual property theft and espionage. The International Space Station (ISS) has already been affected by this decision, with Chinese astronauts excluded from participating. "This move will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for scientific collaboration between the two countries," said Dr. Liu Yang, a Chinese space expert at the University of Beijing. "While we understand the concerns about national security, we hope that both sides can find ways to balance cooperation and competition in the pursuit of advancing human knowledge." The current status of NASA's ban on Chinese nationals remains unclear, but it is expected to have significant consequences for research projects and collaborations between the two countries. Background: The US-China space rivalry has been escalating over the past few years, with both sides investing heavily in their respective programs. The US has expressed concerns about China's rapid advancements in space technology, including its successful landing on Mars and development of reusable rockets. Additional Perspectives: "This decision is a setback for international cooperation in space exploration," said Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA's Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate. "However, we must prioritize national security and ensure that our research is not compromised." "The US-China rivalry in space is a symptom of a broader trend of increasing competition between the two nations," said Dr. Robert Farley, a space policy expert at the University of Kentucky. "We need to find ways to manage this competition while still advancing human knowledge." Next Developments: NASA has not announced any plans to lift or modify its ban on Chinese nationals. The agency is expected to continue monitoring the situation and assessing the impact of the restriction on research projects and collaborations. This article was written by Yvette Tan, a Singapore-based journalist covering international news for [Publication Name]. *Reporting by Bbc.*