China confirms it will team up with Russia to explore the Moon

China and Russia are to collaborate on space exploration efforts in order to compete with other space powers including the US. — Xinhua/China National Space Administration

China and Russia will sign an agreement to build a research station on the moon, officials at the Chinese space agency said.

The two countries aim to complete basic infrastructure construction for the lunar station by 2035, Wu Yanhua, a deputy director of China National Space Administration, told a briefing Friday in Beijing on Friday. That includes systems for energy, communication and life support, Wu said.