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How China Has Integrated Its Space Program Into Its Broader Foreign Policy

  • Published
  • China Aerospace Studies Institute

The way that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is governed allows it to pursue a more holistic approach to policy. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) not only controls the government, but also has a presence in every major organization, including economic, technical, and academic entities. Consequently, China is able to pursue not only a “whole of government” approach to policy, but a “whole of society” approach that incorporates elements that are often beyond the reach of other nations.

This has meant that China has been able to use its space program to promote various aspects of its foreign policy, integrating it not only into traditional diplomatic and security efforts, but also trade and even industrial elements. Indeed, the incorporation of space elements into Chinese foreign policy thinking has been characteristic of China’s aerospace efforts from its earliest days.

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