China has allowed scientists from six countries, including the United States, to study lunar samples collected during its Chang’e-5 mission in 2020, BBC claimed.

Two NASA-funded US institutions were granted access, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA), which described the samples as a “shared treasure for all humanity.”

NASA is prohibited from collaborating with China without Congressional consent, as per a 2011 US law, preventing Chinese scientists from accessing US Moon materials.

John Logsdon, former director of the Space Policy Institute at George Washington University, stated that researching lunar rocks has no military relevance and is consistent with international scientific collaboration rules, according to BBC.

Experts say the move is driven by scientific interest rather than politics.