China's influence on U.N. space agency grows as top funder

Japan counters Beijing's ambition by increasing its contribution

20240620N China space

China launches a core module for its space station in this picture taken April 29, 2021. (China Aerospace Science and Technology)

TAKAYUKI TANAKA, Nikkei staff writer

VIENNA -- China has been making the largest voluntary contribution to a United Nations outer space agency in recent years, underscoring the country's growing ambition in setting rules for space projects. 

In 2022, China accounted for $340,000 of about $1.39 million in total voluntary contributions to the U.N. Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA). Between 2018 and 2022, the only year China was not the top funder was 2021, when it did not provide any subsidies.

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