China uses civilian space flights and research to disguise military programs. NASA head Bill Nelson stated at a meeting of the Appropriations Committee of the US House of Representatives.

"China has made incredible progress, especially in the last ten years. But they are very, very secretive. We think their so-called civilian program is a military program," Nelson said.

To maintain the US advantage over China in space, Washington needs to invest in the lunar programme, Nelson said. The NASA chief reminded the commission that China plans to land a taikonaut on the moon in 2030.

Nelson believes that in case of a successful moon landing, China will declare part of outer space as its property.

"My concern is that China will come first and say, 'This is our territory, stay away," he explained.