China donates Chang'e-6 lunar samples from Moon's far side to UN

(ECNS) -- China formally donated lunar samples collected by the Chang’e-6mission from the Moon’s far side to the United Nations on Monday. The samples are set to go on permanent display at the United Nations Office at Vienna.

China formally donated lunar samples collected by the Chang’e-6mission from the Moon’s far side to the United Nations on Sept. 14, 2026. (Photo: CCTV)

The samples are the first ever collected by humanity from the Moon’s far side.

The handover ceremony was jointly organized by the China National Space Administration, the Permanent Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Vienna, and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. 

More than 400 guests, including representatives from international organizations and diplomatic missions, attended the ceremony.

(By Helen Mo & intern Yang Hongran)